According to the joint statement signed on Tuesday in Vilnius, the extra money is needed to ensure the high-speed railway is completed on time.

Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis (Reform) said the statement does not specify the amount of funding needed, but it is known to be around €10 billion.

"About a year ago, it was estimated that the total cost of Rail Baltic across the three countries would be €14 billion, of which €4 billion has been invested so far, so €10 billion still needs to be found," Leis said. "This does not mean only support from the European Union—it also means contributions from the countries themselves over the coming years. This funding must be secured step by step."

Rail Baltic has largely been built with the support of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). But countries have also used other options, said Ave Schank-Lukas, head of the European Commission Representation in Estonia. For example, Estonia has built Rail Baltic viaducts using recovery funds. The Commission is also currently discussing reallocating unused structural funds to defense-related projects.

"The Commission's wish and goal is for these reallocations to be completed relatively quickly so that, starting from the new year, countries can begin using the reprogrammed funds and there is a possibility of channeling some of that money into projects like this. In that sense, there is some flexibility even within the existing budget," she said.

The government is currently looking for ways to use the redirected money.

Leis said that Rail Baltic is becoming a security project, and funding may be obtained from military mobility funds: "These can be used for railways, roads, bridges, and ports. The idea being that if we need to move military equipment, these connections must be able to handle it."

The next European Union budget period runs from 2028 to 2034. In July, the European Commission will present a proposal for the framework of the new budget period, after which discussions will move to the member states.

"We will be able to speak more specifically in July once the Commission has made its proposal. But of course, Rail Baltic is a very important strategic project for the European Commission," confirmed Schank-Lukas.

Since the railway is expected to be completed by 2030, the Baltic states are interested in ensuring that funding is allocated at the beginning of the budget period, rather than delayed, as has happened in the past, Schank-Lukas said.

This story was updated to add additional details broadcast by "Aktuaalne kaamera."

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!