Ten ministers to form thematic committee for implementation of Rail Baltica project

RIGA - The government has established a thematic committee for Rail Baltica implementation, consisting of ten government members, according to information published in the official gazette Latvijas Vestnesis.

The committee was established to "ensure, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, interdisciplinary consultation and coordination among government members regarding the systematic, technically functional, and financially sound future implementation of Rail Baltica project".

In addition to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) as its chair, the committee includes nine government ministers: Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity), Climate and Energy Minister Janis Vitenbergs (National Alliance), Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone (National Alliance), Finance Minister Maris Kucinskis (United List), Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity), Defense Minister Raivis Melnis, Justice Minister Edvards Smiltens (United List), Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Edgars Tavars (United List), and Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers).

The committee will be tasked with addressing cross-sectoral issues and identifying risks that hinder the implementation of Rail Baltica project, as well as proposing solutions to address them. The committee will have the authority to assess the legal and institutional solutions necessary for the project’s implementation and to review Latvia’s position regarding European Union legislation, international agreements, and financing agreements.

Under this new structure, prior to consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers, the committee will evaluate and seek to reach conceptual agreements on issues related to Rail Baltica project, including implementation scenarios, phases, technical requirements, and other conditions.

Committee meetings will be convened by its chair as needed, but no less than once a month.

As reported, according to project implementer RB Rail, the cost of the first phase of the Rail Baltica project in the Baltics could reach EUR 14.3 billion, including EUR 5.5 billion in Latvia.

The total cost of the project could reach EUR 23.8 billion in the Baltics, according to the cost-benefit analysis. A previous cost-benefit analysis in 2017 estimated the total cost of the project at EUR 5.8 billion.

The Rail Baltica project will build a European standard gauge railway line from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border to connect the Baltic States with other European countries by rail.