In order to further improve connectivity in the region and strengthen military mobility links, the ministers signed a joint declaration on the development and financing of strategic transport infrastructure.
At the meeting, hosted by the Czech Republic, which currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group, transport ministers from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia discussed the importance of the North-South transport corridor, the progress of the ongoing strategic projects Rail Baltica and Via Carpathia, and the development of transport links with Ukraine.
In the coming period, ministers will focus on the construction of new high-speed rail links and the modernisation of existing lines in Central and Eastern Europe. The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen regional cooperation and increase European funding, as well as possible additional financial sources and instruments for projects to improve dual-purpose military and civilian mobility links with Europe.
A total of €1.69 billion will be made available to EU countries between 2021 and 2027 to improve military mobility infrastructure in Europe. For example, Lithuania has so far secured €126.7 million in EU funding to improve military mobility links with Europe. This investment is earmarked for the construction of the Via Baltica highway to the Polish border, Kaunas airport and other major road and rail infrastructure projects.
The declaration also addressed the need to further develop the North-South transport links of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) from the Baltic to the Black and the Aegean Seas.
Rail Baltica's European standard lines in Lithuania and Poland are scheduled to be connected in 2028.
