Today, October 16, a delegation of parliamentarians from the Baltic Sea region met with Latvia's Minister of Transport, Kaspars Briškens, and the delivery organizations of Rail Baltica. The purpose of the meeting was to gain insight into the Rail Baltica project and visit the construction site of the Rail Baltica Riga Central Hub.
Discussions revolved around the strategic significance of the Rail Baltica project, the progress of its implementation in Latvia, and Rail Baltica’s integration into the European Union's transportation network.
Addressing the delegation, Latvian Minister for Transport Kaspars Briškens emphasized the importance of Rail Baltica and the progress achieved: "Today, Rail Baltica has transformed from a dream and vision into a project that clearly outlines the scale of its infrastructure and the ecosystem, which this new economic and security corridor will create. In Riga, one can witness one of the most extensive Rail Baltica construction sites, giving shape to a modern and multimodal transportation hub. Furthermore, the progress in construction and design is evident throughout the Baltic region.”
The parliamentarians are visiting Riga to convene the first working group session of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) on energy supply issues. "The geopolitical situation has made it evident that the resilience and connectivity of our transportation networks are the foundation of security for all our countries. We see that parliamentarians from the Baltic Sea region share a common understanding of the challenges and the vision for their solution. The priorities of the working group are clear – energy independence, digitalization of the sector, and connectivity of transportation networks. Therefore, it was important for our working group to meet with the Rail Baltica team," noted the Chairman of the BSPC Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience and Connectivity, Member of the Latvian Parliament Andris Kulbergs.
Emilien Dang, the Technical Director and Board Member at Rail Baltica central coordinator RB Rail AS, presented the key elements of the Rail Baltica global project, while Kaspars Vingris, Chairman of the Board at Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, introduced the progress of the project's implementation in Latvia. Following the visit, the parliamentarians toured one of the most complex and extensive Rail Baltica construction sites, where the progress already allows a visual understanding of its scale and future functionality. Guntis Āboltiņš-Āboliņš, Executive Director of the construction consortium BERERIX, provided insight into the construction progress at the Rail Baltica Riga Central Hub site. The delegation included parliamentarians from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, and Latvia.
About Rail Baltica
Rail Baltica is one of Europe's largest high-speed infrastructure projects, aiming to establish a modern and sustainable rail link that connects the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the European rail network. It is also a part of the trans-European transport corridor.
Rail Baltica will be a fully electrified, double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1435 mm and will be equipped with ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and designed to meet European standards. With a design speed of 249 km/h, Rail Baltica will significantly reduce travel times between the Baltic States and major European cities. It will serve as a modern infrastructure for passenger, freight, and military mobility, promoting accessibility and facilitating business, tourism, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the project will enhance the Baltic region's position as a vital transit hub, fostering stronger trade connections and promoting regional cooperation.
About RB Rail AS
RB Rail AS is a multinational joint venture of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania established to lead and coordinate the implementation of the Rail Baltica Global Project, the first infrastructure development project of this scale in the Baltic region. More about Rail Baltica global project: www.railbaltica.org
Photos: Paula Čurkste, LETA/Ministry of Transport
For more information:
Signe Nīgale
Head of Communication and International Relations Department
RB Rail AS
Phone number: +371 29116146
E-mail: signe.nigale@railbaltica.org
www.railbaltica.org