Defence sector pre-accelerator invites companies to develop solutions to strengthen Estonia’s defence capabilities
The defence sector pre-accelerator Defence Business Lab is beginning its second year of operation and is inviting companies and teams to apply with technological solutions that support Estonia’s defence capabilities. The programme helps take defence technologies from idea and prototype stage through to testing and international growth opportunities.
The pre-accelerator is aimed at companies developing technologies applicable in the defence sector that need support in understanding the specific characteristics of the defence market, developing and positioning their solution, and preparing for the next stages of growth, including applying to international programmes.
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Originally published on 27 Mar
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We are proud to announce that the Latvian Association of Artificial Intelligence (MILA) has officially joined the Apply AI Alliance Stakeholders’ Catalogue.
This catalogue serves as the European Commission’s “official phonebook” of trusted organizations. It is the primary resource used by the Commission to identify stakeholders for shaping AI policy, participating in sectoral workshops, and attending annual AI Office gatherings.
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Originally published on 2 Feb
Today, 29 January, the Secretary General of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov, the State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, Bernhard Kotsch and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Vidmantas Verbickas, signed a four-party cooperation memorandum in Tallinn aimed at strengthening ties between the countries in the fields of strategic communication and media literacy. The agreement was signed ahead of the meeting also by the Latvian State Secretary Andžejs Vilumsons, with Latvia represented at the meeting by the Inspector General of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ilgvars Kļava. The agreement is an updated version of the cooperation memorandum first concluded between the foreign ministries of the four countries in 2015.
Secretary General Vseviov emphasised that in the context of growing foreign influence activities, disinformation and hostile propaganda, it is crucial to strengthen societal resilience. He noted that closer cooperation between like-minded countries is key to protecting and developing the democratic information space.
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Originally published on 29 Jan
The agreement between Södra and the Ingka Group’s investment company, Ingka Investments, regarding Södra’s forest holdings in the Baltics has now been approved and finalised.
With the aim of doing what is best for the forest estate and for Södra’s long-term competitiveness, Södra decided in early 2025 to divest all its forest holdings in Latvia and Estonia. Since the agreement with the buyer in October 2025, a competition review and approvals from local authorities have been underway – a process that has now been concluded. The transaction, with a purchase price of 720 million euros, is therefore complete.
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Originally published on 30 Jan
Last week marked the start of DIANA’s 2026 Programme, with 16 different regional kick-offs taking place across the Alliance. These events not only kicked off the official start of DIANA innovators’ acceleration journey, but also brought together a world-class community of innovators, industry leaders, accelerator partners, and defence representatives, all eager to shape the future of the Alliance.
The 2026 programme features DIANA’s largest cohort to date, involving 150 innovators with a clear mission: to drive innovation while helping ensure that the Alliance remains at the forefront of global defence and security challenges.
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Originally published on 30 Jan
To gain insight into available technologies and market maturity, understand technical solutions, innovations, assess delivery timelines and, lifecycle support Rai Baltica joint venture RB Rail AS, the central coordinator of the Rail Baltica project, is announcing a supplier consultation for the Yellow Fleet (rolling stock). Market participants are invited to take part in a supplier consultation related to the planned procurement of Yellow Fleet (maintenance rolling stock) for the long-term maintenance of the Rail Baltica railway infrastructure.
The consultation covers specialised maintenance rolling stock and on track/bimodal machinery required for routine and corrective maintenance, emergency and winter operations and inspection and diagnostics.
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Originally published on 30 Jan
A new special vessel has arrived in the work harbour in Rødbyhavn. It is the large floating crane “Hebo Lift 9”. The floating crane will place the enormous anchors on the seabed, to which the immersion pontoon IVY will be attached with long steel wires in connection with the immersion of the first tunnel element this spring.
A total of eight anchors weighing 500 tonnes each will be used. The anchors are shaped like large boxes and are lowered onto the seabed. After the immersion of an element, the anchors can then be picked up again by the crane and reused in connection with the immersion of the next element.
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Originally published on 30 Jan
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s financing in Lithuania rose 29% to €577 million last year on the back of stepped-up support for security and defence in the country. The increase in 2025 also helped expand renewable energy and upgrade water networks in Lithuania.
The EIB Group’s activity in Lithuania last year represented 0.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and helped mobilise €1.4 billion in total investments – equivalent to 1.7% of GDP. The operations supported around 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Caps and helped sustain more than 17,000 jobs across the country.
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Originally published on 30 Jan
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group increased financing for Latvia to a record €381 million in 2025 to speed up the green transition, strengthen infrastructure and promote loans for households and businesses. The EIB Group last year also opened its first office in Riga to anchor a closer partnership with authorities, companies and financial intermediaries in the country.
“2025 was a significant year for the EIB Group in Latvia,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “With record financing and our new office in Riga, we are now closer to our partners than ever before – supporting energy security, modern infrastructure and better access to finance for people and businesses across the country.”
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Originally published on 30 Jan
Across Copenhagen, Malmö, and Visby, the cruise segment continues to show resilience and strong growth potential. The trends for 2026 reflect a clear focus on extended seasons, increased turn‑around calls, shore power and new ship deployments — reinforcing the region’s strategic importance in the European cruise market.
The 2025 cruise season in Copenhagen performed as expected, with 316 calls and almost 866,500 passengers. Additional calls were recorded due to ship repositioning from other regions, underlining Copenhagen’s role as a key Northern European hub.
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Originally published on 29 Jan
Riga/Tallinn. At the beginning of 2026, the Latvian airline airBaltic marks 30 years of operations on the route between its home base, Riga and its base in Tallinn. The first airBaltic flight from the Latvian capital to the Estonian capital took place on January 30, 1996, thus marking an important milestone in the airline’s early network development and strengthening air connectivity within the Baltics and between Estonia and the wider region.
Mantas Vrubliauskas, Vice President Network Management at airBaltic: “For three decades, our operations between the two capitals have contributed to stronger connectivity for Estonia, supporting both business and leisure travel. Over the years, airBaltic has steadily grown its presence in Tallinn, and today we offer a strong and competitive network of direct routes from the city. As the leading airline in the Baltic region, we remain committed to providing reliable connectivity for our passengers while continuing to explore new opportunities to further strengthen links across the Baltics. We also extend sincere thanks to our long-standing partners, RIX Riga Airport and Tallinn Airport, for their continued cooperation and support in airBaltic’s development.”
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Originally published on 30 Jan