1.  It is the first Baltic state to file a formal application.

2.  When the Soviet Union dissolved, Berezhnaya initially represented the Baltic state of Latvia and competed with Oleg Sliakov.

3.  An Israeli team planning to investigate claims that Lithuania erroneously rehabilitated war criminals will leave for the Baltic state next week, a delegation member said Friday.

4.  Latvia and the other two Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania, are hoping to win invitations to join NATO later this year.

5.  Membership for Lithuania and the other two Baltic states, Latvia and Estonia, is considered the most contentious issue because Russia so vehemently opposes it.

6.  Russian-Latvian relations can be restored to normal if the Baltic state adopts measures to improve the status of minorities, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov said Monday.

7.  Russia may limit trade with Latvia in response to the rough treatment given to Russian pensioners living in the Baltic state, a government spokesman said Saturday.

8.  Russian Deputy Prime Minister Valery Serov is expected to take part in the talks when he visits the Baltic state later this month or early in March.

9.  The Baltic states, smaller in total area than Greece, have managed to work together closely.

10.  The European Union took its expansion plan a further step into eastern Europe Monday, setting off the membership procedure for the Baltic state of Latvia.