LATVIA TEMPTED TO BREACH AGRICULTURAL FREE TRADE PACT.

Estonia and Lithuania are concerned by Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans’ stated intention to impose restrictions on pork imports from the two neighboring countries. The measure would violate the trilateral agreement on free trade in agricultural products, a cornerstone of Baltic economic cooperation. Yesterday Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry handed over a protest note on this issue to the Latvian charge d’affaires. Also yesterday, Estonian Prime Minister Mart Siimann raised the issue during Kristopans’ first visit to Estonia as prime minister. Siimann warned that Estonia would close a major meat-packing plant it owns in Latvia if the latter goes ahead with the restrictions. Estonia and Latvia cite Latvia’s obligations under the rules of the World Trade Organization, of which Latvia recently became a full member (ahead of the other two Baltic states). Kristopans agreed yesterday in Tallinn to hold “intensive consultations” with Estonia and Lithuania on the matter, but did not sound persuaded by their case (BNS, January 6-7).

LAZARENKO CLAN LOSING INFLUENCE ON THE PRESS.