The Transport Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia agreed to introduce a new passenger train service on Tallinn – Riga – Vilnius rail route, creating a North–South transport corridor with the aim of creating an additional transport link with Ukraine. This broad-gauge passenger service would be establish ahead of standard-gauge Rail Baltica line for which the ministers discussed ways to speed up the project.
During the meeting held in Tallinn, Lithuania’s Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis, Latvia’s minister Jānis Vitenbergs and Estoanian minister Riina Sikkut signed an agreement to create the new corridor.
On the Lithuanian side, such a train service could start running in the near future, but, according to Lithuanian minister, this would require the joint agreement of all the Baltic States.
“Such a train would be a natural complement to the train service from Vilnius to Warsaw and Krakow, which launched in December 2022. This passenger train which would create a link between the Baltic capitals before the completion of the Rail Baltica project means not only an increase in travel options for the population, but also a contribution to the development of environmentally friendly rail transport,” Minister Skuodis said.
The Estonian Minister Sikkut also supports the inclusion of such a train in the region. “Modern transport infrastructure is one of the key factors for strengthening economic ties, which is why the completion of the Rail Baltica project is our top geopolitical and economic priority. However, while Rail Baltica is under construction, we could consider transporting passengers on the existing Tallinn – Riga – Vilnius rail route.”
Underlining the importance of this passenger service, Latvia’s Minister of Transport said that “it is necessary to agree on the conditions under which this could happen and to use the already existing routes by adjusting them accordingly.”
Regarding the implementation of Rail Baltica, Lithuania intends to complete the corridor on its territory “as early as possible and to establish the link with Poland by 2028.”
“Lithuania’s goal is to have most of the work on the European gauge railway to Panevėžys completed by 2024 and to be ready for construction on all other sections. The rapid and smooth construction of the European gauge railway line throughout the region is essential to ensure a wider range of passenger and freight transport options, while at the same time considering national security needs, which are particularly pressing in this age,” Lithuania’s Minister of Transport said.
At the beginning of this year, Lithuania, together with Latvia, Estonia and the joint venture between the Baltic States RB Rail AS, submitted applications for additional EU funding for the implementation of the European gauge railway Rail Baltica. The total value of the application of the three Baltic States is EUR 1.15 billion, of which Lithuania has a direct share of EUR 400 million.
The Ministers of the Baltic States also stressed that, at the same time as the intensive construction of Rail Baltica is taking place, there is a need for a joint plan of the Baltic States for a coordinated transition of the Baltic rail network to the European gauge standard. In addition, the establishment of a joint Task Force shall increase the independence of the Baltic rail sector in the near future.
The meeting also highlighted the need for cooperation between the Baltic States on the development of the transport corridors of the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea and additional links to improve connectivity with both Western Europe and Ukraine. In 2022, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Lithuanian Railways has already operated around 150 trains between Lithuania and Ukraine.
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