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At today’s annual meeting of Baltic transport ministers in Riga, Lithuania’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Juras Taminskas, alongside his Latvian and Estonian counterparts, discussed the progress of joint infrastructure projects and the EU investment essential for Rail Baltica, Via Baltica, and other key connections linking the Baltic States with Europe.
On Friday in Riga, Juras Taminskas met with Latvian Minister of Transport, Atis Švinka, and Estonian Minister for Infrastructure, Kuldar Leis.
“By advancing key transport routes like Rail Baltica and Via Baltica, we are investing in our future – improving passenger and freight mobility, strengthening economic resilience, and reinforcing military mobility. They make a meaningful contribution to Europe’s security,” stated Minister of Transport and Communications Juras Taminskas.
Lithuanian Minister of Transport stressed that Rail Baltica, Via Baltica and the Alternative Suwałki Corridor are key to ensuring efficient and competitive links between the Baltic States and Europe, as well as supporting the region’s military mobility. Already part of both TEN-T’s North Sea–Baltic and Baltic–Black–Aegean Corridors and the EU’s Military Mobility Corridors, these projects will play a major role in reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank.
During the meeting, it was noted that the most significant progress on the Rail Baltica project in Lithuania has been achieved on the section from Kaunas towards the Latvian border. Construction works have been extended along a 114-kilometre section between Kaunas and Panevėžys, and the first European-gauge tracks are now being installed in the Jonava district.
“Rail Baltica is a strategic priority, which makes it essential to advance efficiently from one implementation phase to the next to deliver a European-gauge railway across the three Baltic States by 2030,” said Minister Taminskas.
In Lithuania, the reconstruction of the 40-kilometre Via Baltica section from Marijampolė to the Polish border is nearing completion. The Minister added that, with additional EU support, the remaining section from Kaunas to the Latvian border should be planned for renewal by 2030.
Lithuania’s upcoming 2027 Presidency of the EU Council is expected to provide an opportunity to further strengthen the Baltic States’ engagement in shaping the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.
The Minister is also participating today in the 44th Baltic Assembly and the 31st Baltic Council sessions. This marks Minister Taminskas’ first foreign visit.
Kontaktinis asmuo
Communication Division
at the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania
Gedimino Av. 17, LT-01103 Vilnius
[email protected]
This is a press release for content of which BNS bears no responsibility!
