Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania Rimantas Sinkevičius greeted the participants of the Committee on Economics, Energy and Innovations of the Baltic Assembly (BA), emphasizing the importance of the project "Rail Baltica" to both Lithuania and the whole Baltic regionб Lithuania’s Ministry of Transport and Communications says.
"All the time we sought for a new fast European gauge track to be laid through the most economically viable and effective route. I am pleased that our arguments were heard. Vilnius connection is an important economic factor for Lithuania and the whole Baltic region. It puts to use the potential of capital and contributes to the success of the project "Rail Baltica" said Minister Rimantas Sinkevičius.
According to the Minister, this project signifies a better integration into the European Union and enhanced economic security for the State. For the representatives of business, the new European gauge provides a more rapid transport of goods to Europe and, thus, development of business, and, for the citizens, it grants a better quality, faster and safer travel.
In addition, reports from the Baltic governments on the implementation of the common transport, infrastructure, energy and economic cooperation projects were presented to Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Members of Parliament at the BA.
Much attention was given to the regional project "Rail Baltica" and the problems related to its implementation. The participants of the BA also touch upon topics related to the ports of the Baltic States and North Sea-Baltic core network corridor. The politicians discussed the economic cooperation between the Baltic States as well as the actualities in promoting economic growth.
On 1 January 2015, Lithuania took over the Presidency of the Baltic Assembly. This year, the Seimas plans to hold 14 international events, with the majority of them hosted in Vilnius and four of them held in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Palanga and Šiauliai.