On Thursday, 15 March, the Saeima adopted a decision on supporting the further implementation of the Rail Baltica project. The decision urges the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia to provide all the necessary support to ensure successful implementation of the project, including compliance with the set time-frame, which is essential for maintaining the political and financial support of the EU.

Furthermore, the Saeima urges all the parties involved in the project to resolve disagreements, if such have arisen, and invites the Parliaments of Lithuania and Estonia to express their support for decisive continuation of the Rail Baltica project in line with the common desire of the Baltic States to implement a railway development project of great significance to the Nordic region within the European Union.

“It is crucial that political support for the implementation of the project is expressed on behalf of the whole Saeima. That is why the European Affairs Committee drafted the decision. In it, we also urge the Parliaments of Lithuania and Estonia to take a similar step and express their support for the Rail Baltica project, which is important to the entire Nordic region”, Lolita Čigāne, Chair of the European Affairs Committee, previously commented the decision.

Acknowledging the fact that Latvia’s full integration into the EU transport network is a commercial, social and Baltic security issue, the decision emphasises that Rail Baltica is one of the EU’s priority projects for creating a single transport area and that the EU has undertaken to provide significant support for the project, co-financing 85% of the total costs, which will reach EUR 5.8 billion.

The decision also notes that efficient, unified and transparent management of the project has been a prerequisite for attracting EU investments, and reaching this goal requires open and constant intercommunication.

The decision of the Saeima reiterates that delaying strategic and long-term decisions presents a significant threat to successful implementation of the project.

The Latvian Parliament emphasises that it stands by the previously expressed strict commitment of the Baltic States to implement the project in a responsible manner and complete it by 2026, seeking the most effective solutions to any and all disputes among the parties involved in the project.

Previously Lolita Čigāne noted that recent events arising out of the inability to agree on a common project implementation model, including the uncertainty regarding the future management of the joint company RB Rail, have created doubts as to the further development of Rail Baltica as a whole. Last week at a meeting of the European Affairs Committee, its members emphasised that political support is necessary to alleviate concerns about the ability of the Baltic States to agree on a common vision regarding the development of the project. 

Saeima Press Service