Latvian PM on the Baltics’ joint position on Rail Baltica — LSM English
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia should speak with a common position on the Rail Baltica railway project. He said this after a meeting with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on September 16, LSM English reports.
A joint plan for the three countries
According to Kulbergs, each of the Baltic states has a weaker position when negotiating separately with the European Commission. Therefore, on September 21, the prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia plan to present a joint plan for the further development of Rail Baltica.
This plan is to cover the project’s implementation schedule and budget. Kulbergs stressed that an agreed position of the three states could strengthen their negotiations with the European Commission on funding.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Possible cost cuts
The Latvian prime minister also promised to present five key steps that, he said, would make it possible to reduce the cost of Rail Baltica by several billion euros. He noted that all three countries must also support this plan, as cutting costs is one of the prerequisites for more successful negotiations with Brussels on future funding.
The cost of the first phase of Rail Baltica in the Baltic states could reach €14.3 billion. Latvia’s share of this amount is €5.5 billion, although after indexation the country’s costs could rise to €6 billion.
