Finland for a comprehensive Rail Baltica project

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä on Friday said that the Rail Baltica, the largest transport sector project within the EU, should be implemented in a comprehensive way.

“After the somewhat slow start, the Rail Baltica project must be implemented in a comprehensive way as a single project so that the rail connection will be built as soon as possible, at reasonable cost, and with the best available resources”, said Sipilä after a meeting with his visiting Latvian counterpart Māris Kučinskis in Helsinki.

From the Finnish perspective, the joint Rail Baltica project of the Baltic countries, Poland and Finland is the largest and most significant transport sector project within the EU. The project is highly important for the Finnish industry and exports as well.

Kučinskis and Sipilä discussed various bilateral issues between the countries and regional cooperation, in particular, energy security and the progress of the Rail Baltica project. They also talked about topical EU affairs including the Brexit process and the EU’s climate and energy objectives.

The meeting started by honouring Finland 100 - the centenary of Finland’s independence. The Prime Ministers participated in a Finland 100 jubilee forest planting ceremony in Paloheinä, Helsinki, where they planted a seedling of a Spruce of the Future together with Maria Lohela, Speaker of the Parliament of Finland and the Mayor of Helsinki Jussi Pajunen.

The symbolic meaning of the trees was also discussed. Sipilä noted that he was highly satisfied with the constructive cooperation with Latvia and other forested countries in the negotiations on the implementation of the EU’s climate and energy objectives. He expressed his concern about the way the land use sector is proposed to be included in the climate policy of the EU. Finland is particularly worried about the way forests are to be handled.

“Finland is hoping to continue the good cooperation with Latvia in the discussions on the draft Regulation in order that the outcome is a balanced one, also taking account of the objectives of the most forested countries. The EU must achieve a shared understanding of the whole climate package as soon as possible”, Sipilä said.

He pointed out that Latvia is an important partner for Finland in many fields: EU affairs, security issues, trade, and contacts between the citizens.

“There are about 400 Finnish-based companies in Latvia, and clean technology is a good example of a sector where even closer cooperation may help both Finnish and Latvian enterprises to take their innovations to the world”, the Prime Minister said.

With respect to the Brexit negotiations Finland and Latvia have the same priorities: unity of the EU, securing the position of the citizens, and obligations of Great Britain to honour the economic commitments it has made as a Union member.