Estonian and Latvian MPs to discuss transport issues

TALLINN - Delegations from the Estonia-Latvia parliamentary group of the Riigikogu and the Latvia-Estonia parliamentary group of the Saeima will meet in Pärnu on Friday to discuss improving rail and road connections between Estonia and Latvia.

Peeter Tali, chairman of the Estonia-Latvia parliamentary group, said that the construction of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica has been unacceptably delayed. "The development of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica is not only crucial for tourism, regional development, and freight transport, but it also underpins the European Union's military mobility and, by extension, the security of the Baltic states. Rail Baltic is the most important infrastructure project in our region and an absolute priority for the European Union," he noted.

The parliamentary groups will discuss, among other things, long-term financing models for rail and road connections, enhancing cross-border cooperation, modernizing the highway, and integrating it with the local road network.

The MPs will also receive an overview of local tourism. A notable shift has occurred in the region, with families from the Baltic states now spending more time and money in the Pärnu area than Finnish tourists.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Pärnu City Government building. In addition to the group's chairman, the Riigikogu delegation includes members Anti Poolamets and Annely Akkermann. They will be accompanied by Eerik Marmei, the Estonian Ambassador to Latvia.