President urges Transport Ministry and government to act responsibly in implementation of Rail Baltica and in development of airBaltic

RIGA - President Edgars Rinkevics has called on the Transport Ministry and the government to act responsibly in the implementation of the Rail Baltica project and in the development of airBaltic national carrier, ensuring that the promises made are kept.

As the president's spokesman Martins Dregeris told LETA that Rinkevics on Thursday met with Transport Minister Atis Svika (Progressives) at the Riga Castle.

During the meeting, the president and the minister discussed the maintenance of national roads, current issues in the railway sector, including the state of rail infrastructure and the measures needed to ensure its long-term operation, as well as the progress of the Rail Baltica project. The parties also discussed the implementation plan for port reform and airBaltic's preparations for its initial public offering (IPO).

The president said that the implementation of projects of national importance does not always go smoothly and therefore called on the Transport Ministry and the government to act responsibly both in the implementation of Rail Baltica and the development of airBaltic, ensuring compliance with the promises made. At the same time, he said, special attention should also be paid to the needs of people in the regions, ensuring high-quality and sustainable road infrastructure.

The president indicated that he expects a swift adoption of draft amendments to the Law on Ports providing for a streamlining of small ports' management by appointing management boards of no more than five members.

The parties discussed the latest developments in the implementation of the Rail Baltica project and the progress in the construction of the Rail Baltica mainline. The president called on the minister to present the results of the project's cost reduction assessment.