Estonian gov't endorses concluding Rail Baltic agreement

The Estonian government on Thursday endorsed concluding the Rail Baltic agreement on the construction of Rail Baltica European-gauge railroad.

The decision was made at a cabinet session to give its nod to the agreement, said the government in a press release.

The feasibility study of the project covering Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would be ready in April, after which the Estonia government will send the agreement to the Estonia parliament for ratification, said Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas.

He expressed the belief that most European railways are supported by the state or the public sector and the government won't take the decision concerning Rail Baltic lightly.

The prime ministers of all three Baltic countries are scheduled to meet in Tallinn next Tuesday to sign the intergovernmental agreement on the Rail Baltica project intended to connect them with the rest of Europe.

The main topics is to focus on regional security, energy and transport links, and the future of the European Union.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, is also scheduled to join the three prime ministers and hold a joint press conference.

source: Xinhua