Source: European Parliament
1. The main source of European funding for the Rail Baltica project in the current multiannual financial framework ( MFF) period 2021-2027 is the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The maximum co-funding rates and the costs eligible for funding are set out in the CEF Regulation[1] and under certain conditions it can be up to 85%. The funding that can be provided also depends on the budget available in the facility.
The Rail Baltica project is the biggest recipient of CEF funding. The Commission encourages all beneficiaries, including the Latvian authorities, to make best use of the resources available and progress on the implementation of the projects as set up in the respective grant agreements within the legal limits set therein. Other sources of funding, including private capital and state funding, should be explored as well.
2. The Commission is aware of the political discussions in Latvia on financing of the project. The European Coordinator and the Commission have in their exchanges with the Latvian authorities underlined that the project needs to be planned and implemented in a way that is cost effective and sustainable for Latvia’s state budget while ensuring that Latvia meets its commitments to Estonia and Lithuania. The cost-benefit analyses of the project show a positive long-term socioeconomic return for the three Baltic countries.
3. The Commission is committed to support the national authorities to complete the Rail Baltica project, which continues to have very high EU added value. The current geopolitical situation underlines the urgent need to connect the three Baltic states to the European rail network. A swift implementation is required.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014.