21.11.2025
Rail Baltica emerged as the main topic of the Baltic transport ministers' meeting in Riga, where they discussed how to ensure the project progresses quickly enough at a time when the European Union is preparing to significantly increase its railway investments.
Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis met with the Latvian and Lithuanian Ministers of Transport Atis Švinka and Juras Taminskas in Riga last week to discuss Rail Baltica, Via Baltica, and the next budget period of the European Union. In addition to discussing the progress of the international high-speed rail project Rail Baltica, Estonia confirmed that the new Tallinn-Tartu-Riga passenger train line will open in mid-December 2025, offering a direct cross-border connection without transfers.
For years, Rail Baltica funding has relied on the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) - an instrument that the Baltic states are trying to ensure is maintained in the preparations for the next multiannual financial framework.
Europe invests twice as much in railways than before
"The European Commission's initial proposal is to almost double the transport funding for the next budget, to 51,5 billion euros. The Commission also named Rail Baltica as one of the strategic links in the European transport network in the high-speed rail development plan published last week. These are very positive messages for the Baltic states," said Leis.
The Estonian minister emphasized that the region's opportunities to secure future European funding depend on both visible construction success and joint action by the Baltic states in budget negotiations.
"The increase in European funding means an opportunity, but not a guarantee. For Rail Baltica to remain among European funding priorities, we need to show that the project is actually moving forward and the set goal is achievable," he said.
Construction activity along the entire Rail Baltica route from Tallinn to Warsaw has significantly accelerated. In Estonia, the entire route from Tallinn to the Latvian border is now covered by construction contracts and active construction is underway on approximately half of the route – around 100 kilometers. In addition to civil infrastructure, the Baltic States are also seeking continued funding through CEF for military mobility corridors, which will strengthen both connectivity and regional security.
Connection with Latvia will improve already in December
The ministers also discussed developments in Via Baltica – a north-south road connection, one of the most important in the region. According to Leisi, Estonia's road maintenance funding will more than double next year and over a billion euros will be invested in roads over the next four years. In the near future, construction of more than 65 kilometers of new 2+2 roads will begin, of which more than 45 kilometers are in the direction of Pärnu and more than 20 kilometers in the direction of Tartu.
At the Baltic Assembly, which took place after the ministerial meeting, Leis also gave MEPs an overview of the future Tartu-Riga train connection. Estonia plans to extend it to a full connection on the Tallinn-Tartu-Riga route, allowing travel without transfers. He said that preparations are in the final stages and the Elron train will start operating on the route in mid-December 2025.
The article was first published on November 20, 2025 as a content marketing story in Õhtuleht.
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