The rivalry between Lithuanians and Latvians

Unlike the Estonians, the Lithuanians and the Latvians speak related languages and are the only descendants of the ancient Baltic people. But Virginijus Savukynas doubts they're really brother nations, as people always say. "Officially we always talk about common interests, cooperation and friendship but in reality we're rivals more than anything else. Which country will become the true centre of the Baltic region? Who can attract more foreign investment and tourists? Meanwhile we Lithuanians have had to concede that Riga has become the capital of the Baltic. Thanks to cheap flights, it's easier for foreigners to get to Riga than to Vilnius, and a weekend in Riga is about more than the cheap, good beer that is attracting more and more British tourists. Now there are cheap flights from London to Kaunas, but the British still don't go there for the weekend because all the Lithuanians working in Great Britain have already snapped up the tickets... There's little evidence of friendship and brotherliness between Lithuanians and Latvians today. But it's enough to just be good neighbours."

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