RIGA, July 21 (LETA) - The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Baltic states have called on the prime ministers to take political responsibility for the implementation of the Rail Baltica railway project, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) informed LETA.

The Baltic Chambers of Commerce and Industry have sent a joint letter to the prime ministers of all three Baltic states, noting that effective and reliable connectivity is one of the most important prerequisites for the Baltic region’s security, defense, competitiveness, and long-term economic development.

At the same time, business organizations are calling for clear political accountability for the successful implementation of the project.

Business organizations in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania note that Rail Baltica is much more than a transportation infrastructure project. The organizations note that it is a strategic corridor for competitiveness, resilience, and security that will more closely integrate the Baltic states into the European Single Market, improve access to Central and Western Europe, strengthen supply chains, promote military mobility, and increase the region’s attractiveness for investment.

The LTRK also notes that, given the project’s strategic importance, business organizations are calling on the governments of all three Baltic states to ensure strong political leadership in implementing the project at the prime ministerial level. At the same time, full transparency is essential - clear communication regarding project timelines, potential delays and their causes, necessary investments, the financing model, as well as the expected economic, social, and security benefits. In the event of risks related to funding or timelines, governments must present clear risk mitigation plans, alternative scenarios, and specific measures to keep the project on track according to the plan.

LTRK President Aigars Rostovskis noted that the prime ministers of all three Baltic states must assume clear political responsibility for the project’s progress, ensuring that it is implemented rationally, with maximum transparency, and without unjustified costs.

Rostovskis pointed out that responsibility for the outcome of such a significant project cannot be delegated solely to project managers or other involved institutions, as it must be a political priority for the heads of government.

At the same time, the LTRK emphasizes that the Rail Baltica rail link is a one-time investment in the future of the Baltic region. In the current geopolitical situation, the timely implementation of the project is not only a matter of infrastructure development but also a testament to the strategic reliability of the Baltic states, the region’s resilience, and European security.

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, but there is potential to save up to EUR 500 million by optimizing technical solutions and cutting other costs.

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. A new 870-kilometer European-standard (1,435 mm) railway line with a maximum train speed of 240 kilometers per hour will be built in the Baltic States.

Rail Baltica is a double-track, European standard 1,435 mm gauge electrified railway for passenger and freight transport to be built from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border. The overall length of the railway will be 870 kilometers.