Northern Europe

Sweden plans to station troops on the strategic Baltic island of Gotland, as Russia has increased its military activity in the region.

Permanent military presence has been absent from Gotland, which is Sweden's largest island, for a period of ten years, the Financial Times reports.

Serbian Prime Minister visited Sweden Vu?i?: Swedes do not believe in fairy tales

- In Scandinavian countries, it's very important to tell the truth and show commitment, because people here do not believe in fairy tales and easy solutions - Aleksandar Vu?i? said during his visit to Sweden.

Lithuania joined the eurozone Thursday, becoming its 19th member.

Starting January 1, Lithuanians can swap their old currency, litas (LTL), in exchange for euros (EUR).

The exchange rate is set at 1 EUR = 3.45280 LTL.

BELGRADE - The Belgrade summit will be an excellent forum for exchanging ideas on enhancing the cooperation and bringing us all closer to our common goals, Latvia's Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma says in an exclusive opinion piece for Tanjug ahead of the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and CEECs in Belgrade, which Tanjug publishes in full.

BELGRADE - Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) is intense, with numerous perspectives for the future, and provides all participating countries with excellent opportunities for bilateral and regional partnership in various fields, Lithuania's Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius says in an exclusive opinion piece for Tanjug ahead of the Third Meeting of He

BELGRADE - Estonia is one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union and the most business-friendly countries, Estonia's Prime Minister Taavi Roivas says, calling on partner countries to use its e-services.

In an exclusive opinion piece for Tanjug ahead of the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European countries, Roivas notes:

Finland's president opposed to NATO membership

WASHINGTON -- Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said that his country, balancing between Russia and the West, should not join NATO.

Niinisto maintains this position despite the Ukrainian crisis and calls from some Finnish politicians for the country to become a part of the western military alliance.

The deployment of US troops and military equipment in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia has been extended throughout 2015 in order to contain Russian aggression in the region, Lt Gen Frederick Ben Hodges, Commanding General of US Army Europe, has announced.

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Sweden has proof that a small foreign submarine was operating illegally in its waters last month, the head of Sweden's armed forces, General Sverker Goransson.

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Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics has become the first high-ranking politician in his country and the Baltic states to come out publicly as being gay, in a series of tweets.
      
"I proudly announce I am gay... Good luck all of you," he said late Thursday in a tweet that has since gone viral.