Latvian gov't ready to give greenlight to Rail Baltica project

The Latvian government on Tuesday approved the signing of an intergovernmental agreement with Lithuania and Estonia on the construction of Rail Baltica European-gauge railroad.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have already received the necessary EU funding and set up a joint venture, RB Rail, in charge of the project's implementation.

Although the three Baltic states have repeatedly confirmed their commitment to the Rail Baltica project intended to connect them with the rest of Europe, they have yet to sign a legally binding accord on the railroad's construction.

According to the draft agreement, the new railway infrastructure will belong to the three Baltic countries' governments, which will be obliged to ensure non-discriminatory access to Rail Baltica.

The intergovernmental agreement is scheduled for signing at the three Baltic prime ministers' meeting in the Estonian capital of Tallinn next week.

While Latvia and Estonia have already confirmed their readiness to sign the agreement, questions remain about Lithuania's position.

Lithuania's new Transport Minister Rokas Masiulis has said that the government still needs to study the agreement in greater detail.

The Rail Baltica II project is intended to link Finland, the Baltic states and Poland and also improve the connection between central and northern Europe and Germany.

It is planned that 85 percent of the projects costs will be financed from the EU funds.

The Rail Baltica II line will be about 360 kilometres long in Lithuania, more than 300 kilometres long in Latvia and roughly 300 kilometres long in Estonia.

Earlier, the Baltic states had disagreements over the Rail Baltica project's procurement procedures. Eventually, an agreement was reached on Sept. 7 that some of the purchases will be made through RB Rail, while others will be made by national governments. Endit