The MoU will run the Rail Baltica Construction Work Schedule in Latvia / Day in the near future

Saeima deputies Andris Kulbergs, Edward Smilten, Edgars Tavars, Edgars Putra, Aiva Vīksna, Linda Matisone, Česlavs Batna, Maris Sprindžuks, Māris Kučinskis and Juris Viļums had sent a request to Prime Minister Evika Evika ( Implementation of the infrastructure project « Rail Baltica ».

The MoD reply states that the ministry is currently working on the information report on the « Rail Baltica » construction schedule, although in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers the report, the report had to be submitted to the government by 1 March 2025.

The ministry points out that three scenarios have been developed, assessing both the possibilities of attracting funding and the risks related to the project, including the deadlines for the implementation of the project and the implementation of international obligations. Thus, the construction schedule depends on the funding available.

At the same time, work on the first phase of the project costs.

The MoU also points out that the solution to the construction of the one -way road on the two -way embankment stems from the information report prepared by the MoU, which the government conceptually supported on December 10 last year, and is included in the report on the construction schedule at the development stage. According to the MoU, such a solution would allow cross -border connectivity within the time limit, while allowing further extensions and the possibility of building a second track in the future, thus achieving the full -planned infrastructure capacity.

At the same time, the MoU added that on February 11 this year, an information report was viewed on the additional funding needed for the project in 2025. The government decided to cover the indirect costs of the joint venture of the Baltic States JSC « RB Rail », while stating that the issue of the rest of the necessary funding will be considered by the Rail Baltica thematic committee.

The committee meeting did not reach an agreement on possible solutions, a discussion on providing additional information was held, and the issue was not discussed at the next committee meetings, as the discussion was overwhelmed with other issues included in the Committee’s agenda, the answer said.

The MoU points out that there have been correspondence and meetings between the MoU and the MoF at this time, including the representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office in connection with additional explanations on the necessary funding. The agreement has not yet been reached.

SM draws attention to the fact that the issue of providing funding should be taken into account that the Government’s Fiscal Structural Plan approved by the Government in the 2025 General Government Budget Deficit is forecast of EUR 1.320 billion, or 3.1% of gross domestic product (GDP), which is 0.2 percentage points higher than the 2025 budget law, is negative.

As emphasized by the ministry without providing timely implementation of project activities, which can also be underly funded, there is a risk of losing co -financing of the allocation of European infrastructure bonding, and the risk of losses to Estonia and Lithuania may have to be reimbursed.

As the ministry states, if additional funding is found in the management of the Rail Baltica project and the implementation of other construction activities, including cross -border activities coordinated by the international company « RB Rail », Latvia will not be able to create a cross -border connection of Rail Baltica.

The ministry points out that solutions for funding will be sought.

The MoU also points out that it is important to focus primarily on the timely investment of the funding currently available, thus ensuring progress in the implementation of the project, as well as continuing negotiations on EU budget funding in the next EU multi -annual budget planning period.

As reported, according to the latest RB Rail information, Rail Baltica’s first round costs in the Baltics could reach EUR 14.3 billion, of which Latvia is 5.5 billion euros, but there is a potential savings of up to € 500 million from the optimization of technical solutions and other savings are possible.

The total cost of the project, according to cost and benefits analysis in the Baltics, can reach EUR 23.8 billion. In the previous cost and benefit analysis in 2017, the project would cost a total of € 5.8 billion.

The Rail Baltica project envisages the creation of a European standard railway line from Tallinn to the Lithuanian -Polish border so that the Baltic States can be further connected to other European countries. It is planned to build a new, 870 -kilometer European railway line (1435 mm) railway line with a maximum speed of 240 kilometers per hour.