During the informal meeting of EU transport ministers in Warsaw, Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis emphasizes the need to strengthen transport resilience in response to current challenges. He advocates for securing additional European funding for military mobility projects, while reducing bureaucratic barriers and procedures between the European Union (EU) and NATO. Minister Sabutis also proposed measures to ensure the seamless movement of both civilian and allied transport, informs Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications.
“In response to current challenges, it is essential to enhance cooperation between the EU and NATO. There is potential to reduce bureaucracy and streamline procedures, enabling our allies to benefit from a more efficient logistics system that meets their needs and aligns with NATO standards. Strengthening military mobility links and their security is critical. We propose the development of various transport and telecommunications infrastructure projects that will facilitate the seamless movement of people and allied forces across the Baltic States and Poland,” said Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis.
Sabutis emphasizes the crucial role of transport links – particularly the Via Baltica motorway and the European gauge railway Rail Baltica – in enhancing connectivity and national security for the Baltic States. He stated that Lithuania will actively collaborate with its neighbours to ensure these projects receive sufficient funding in the upcoming EU multiannual financial framework.
According to Minister Sabutis, it is particularly important to develop the North-South transport corridor, which connects the Baltic, Black, and Aegean Seas. The new TEN-T network already includes a European rail link to Klaipėda, the shortest route between Lithuania and Ukraine, as well as new military mobility connections from Białystok through Augustów, Lazdijai, and Alytus to Vilnius.
Moreover, during a meeting between the Lithuanian Deputy Minister Julijus Glebovas and his Polish counterpart, it was agreed to explore the possibility of launching an additional train between Vilnius and Warsaw next year. It is expected that the travel time between the two capitals could be halved by 2027.
The estimated cost for dual-purpose projects in Lithuania, designed to meet both civil and military transport needs, is approximately 3.5 billion euros. Additionally, Lithuania requires an extra four billion euros to complete the Rail Baltica project by 2030.
Earlier this year, the Lithuania and Poland applied to the European Commission for funding to adapt the Augustów-Vilnius road to meet military mobility requirements.
The construction of the Rail Baltica railway from Kaunas to the Latvian border will extend to 114 km by the end of this year. Construction of the 46.3 km section of the main line embankment and civil engineering works is currently underway between Kaunas and Panevėžys.
Three of the four sections of the 40 km long Via Baltica section in Lithuania (from Marijampolė to Poland) have already been completed, with 28.5 km of the trunk road finally modernised. The last section will be completed this year.