At Lithuania. Economy. Conference 2015, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania Rimantas Sinkevičius presented the challenges and opportunities in the transport sector within the frame of the new EU Financial Perspective 2014-2020 and highlighted the importance and value of the project “Rail Baltica”, the Ministry says in its press release.
“The Financial Perspective 2007-2013 was generous – EUR 1.53 billion was provided to the development and modernization of the transport sector. However, the amounts earmarked for the transport and logistics projects within the frame of new Financial Perspective were decreased. Thus, it is crucial to use the EU investments in a logical and comprehensive manner. Under the circumstances, one of the most significant projects ensuring a sustainable economic growth of the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Baltic Sea coast is “Rail Baltica,” said Rimantas Sinkevičius, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.
The biggest amount of investments within the new EU Financial Perspective 2014-2020 is expected to be earmarked for the development of railway lines and roads crossing the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T); that is, 42 percent and 26 percent, respectively. One the main rail project priorities under the new TEN-T policy is the project “Rail Baltica 2”. This project of high importance is significant to Lithuania, as well as other Baltic States and contributes to the Single European Transport Area.
“Rail Baltica” is a strategic EU transport infrastructure project. It is one of the cross-border links under the new TEN-T policy and part of one of the 10 most important TEN-T core network corridors - the North Sea-Baltic core network corridor. By implementing the project “Rail Baltica”, we create a transport corridor of a European value, and, therefore, not only implement the EU transport policy but also create favorable conditions for mobility and logistics in the region and the Union.
In an economic context, “Rail Baltica” will attract new investments into the region, create additional jobs and build additional income into the budget, offer additional passenger and cargo services. In nowadays context, the project also represents the national security. Contemporary, we need an efficient European gauge rail link to the rest of the EU transport network. The fact that this project is a priority to the Europe is also confirmed by the European Commission. It is expected that the co-funding will be available under the CEF cohesion envelope - a serious financial instrument that can make the project “Rail Baltica” a reality.
According to the Minister, “all the applications for the co-funding along with the application for the project of international importance “Rail Baltica” are already submitted to the European Commission. In order to implement this project, the biggest part of investments is required from the EU. We hope that the co-funding will be given”, said the Minister.
In addition, at the conference, Rimantas Sinkevičius underlined that the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania gives great importance also to the development of other Lithuania’s strategic projects to be implemented in three directions – in Asian, European and North American continents. Currently, Lithuania seeks for additional freight flows in EU-China direction, to develop the project “Viking” towards Turkey and strengthen the trade and transport links with Sweden.