Policymakers, business leaders, and experts from across Northern Europe gathered in Helsinki for a high-level seminar on strategic mobility and regional cooperation in the Nordic–Baltic region. The event, titled “Rail Baltica and Strategic Mobility for a Stronger Nordic–Baltic Region”, brought together around 80 participants representing government institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the transport, defence, and industrial sectors.
Hosted at the House of Industries, the seminar forms part of Rail Baltica’s stakeholder engagement programme, designed to foster dialogue between EU Member States and strategic partners on the project’s growing role in European transport and security.
Strengthening regional links and resilience
Opening remarks were delivered by Ms Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, and Mr Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure of Estonia, both of whom underlined the importance of resilient and interoperable transport infrastructure for regional cooperation, economic growth, and collective security.
Minister Ranne emphasised the value of Baltic–Finnish cooperation and the shared ambition to develop infrastructure that is both sustainable and strategically robust.
“It is important that we share information, understand where we stand, and cooperate now more than ever,” she said. “In Finland, we are prioritising infrastructure that strengthens everyday life and crisis readiness. Europe requires swift action, including joint efforts to ensure military security. The Baltic and Nordic countries are in the same boat, and we stand together with other European countries as well.”
Minister Leis highlighted Rail Baltica’s strategic significance as the largest infrastructure investment in the region in a century.
“In Estonia, the railway is a national priority – over 100 kilometres are under construction, and contracts cover the entire route. Together with our Finnish and international partners, we are delivering this complex project efficiently and transparently so that by 2030 trains can travel from Tallinn to Warsaw,” he said.
He also noted Rail Baltica’s importance for Europe’s strategic mobility and NATO’s Eastern flank, describing it as a project that connects people, markets, and nations.
Defence readiness and economic resilience
A keynote address by Ms Ulla Heinonen, Director of Green Growth at the Confederation of Finnish Industries, explored Finland’s approach to strengthening international transport connections and the need for deeper integration with the European network.
A central panel discussion examined the dual-use potential of regional infrastructure, focusing on how large-scale projects like Rail Baltica can support both defence readiness and economic resilience. Participants addressed the railway’s role in regional military mobility, the integration of EU and NATO priorities, and the protection of critical infrastructure from hybrid and cyber threats.
Speakers also highlighted opportunities for enhanced Nordic–Baltic defence cooperation and the long-term vision of an interoperable rail system serving both collective defence and economic convergence.
A shared vision for strategic mobility
“Europe is stronger when the Baltics are connected and resilient,” said Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board at RB Rail AS. “Rail Baltica is not only an economic corridor – it is a strategic lifeline that enhances the security, mobility, and unity of our entire region. The Helsinki seminar shows how closely the Nordic and Baltic countries are aligned in building infrastructure that serves both prosperity and preparedness.”
The Helsinki seminar follows a similar event held earlier this year in Berlin and precedes sessions planned for Brussels, Paris, Stockholm, Madrid, and other European capitals. Together, these events aim to increase awareness of Rail Baltica’s strategic role in shaping Europe’s future mobility, security, and competitivenes
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