On Thursday, 21 May, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Rail Baltica Project Implementation Law. Kaspars Briškens, Chair of the Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee, which is responsible for advancing the draft law at the Saeima, had previously emphasised that in order for the project to move from planning to actual infrastructure as swiftly as possible, it is essential to finally ensure a clear framework for its political oversight and inter-institutional cooperation, as well as to remove unnecessary obstacles—particularly bureaucratic obstacles—that hinder the project’s development.

“Implementation of this project, which is of crucial strategic importance for our state and the entire region, requires close cooperation between all institutions involved, as well as a clear division of responsibilities and political oversight at the highest level. At the same time, the progress of Rail Baltica cannot be impeded by bureaucratic obstacles disproportionate to its scale and significance,” underlined Kaspars Briškens.

The amendments aim to strengthen project governance and establish a clear division of responsibilities between all institutions involved. The draft law precisely allocates duties among state institutions: the Prime Minister will coordinate project implementation within the Cabinet and ensure cooperation among the ministries; the Ministry of Transport will continue to lead project implementation and supervise progress; and the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for project financing strategy development and oversight, sources of funding, and fiscal risk monitoring.

Other ministries will also cooperate, within their respective areas of competence, with the institutions involved in implementing the Rail Baltica project, including in international cooperation, construction, real estate, development of energy supply infrastructure, national defence and military mobility, attraction of foreign investment and promotion of future revenues, training of railway industry specialists, and other areas crucial for sustainable project development. 

The amendments specify that the Prime Minister will report to the Saeima on the progress of Rail Baltica at least twice a year, thereby ensuring enhanced political oversight.

The draft law also reinforces the principles of transparency with regard to both archived and current project documentation.

The amendments to the Rail Baltica Project Implementation Law will enter into force on 1 July this year.

Saeima Press Service