Foto: BB.LV / Ринкевич
If, after clarifying the situation with the next multiannual budget of the European Union (EU), the funding available for the railway project "Rail Baltica" turns out to be insufficient, the Baltic countries will have to assess whether they can afford the project and to what extent, emphasized the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, at a press conference at the Riga Castle on Wednesday. The President acknowledged that the development of the project has been challenging and that the "moment of truth" has arrived. He pointed out that the project costs do not align with the initial estimates in any of the Baltic countries. It is not the case that in one country the costs have remained at the previously planned level while in another the project has become more expensive, the President stressed. Rinkēvičs emphasized that the negotiations regarding the next multiannual EU budget will be crucial — both in terms of the funding volume under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and co-financing from the EU and national governments. The President noted that the discussion on the next multiannual budget is still developing. In his opinion, when clarity regarding the EU budget emerges, all three Baltic countries will have to understand what funding is available. If the funding is insufficient, the question will arise as to whether the project can be afforded and to what extent, considering other needs as well, he indicated. "Currently, all scenarios are on the table," Rinkēvičs said, adding once again that much will be determined by the outcome of the negotiations on the EU multiannual budget. According to the President, three more meetings of the European Council are expected by the end of the year. At the same time, Rinkēvičs acknowledged that it is unclear whether an agreement can be reached by the end of the year, as there are many complex issues and conflicting positions between those who do not want to contribute more to the budget and those who are putting forward their priorities.
