Rail Baltic
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-06-04 16:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh question addressed the further development of Rail Baltic and Estonia's role in this large-scale project. The question from Member of the Riigikogu Rain Epler directly concerned the possibility of traveling from Tallinn to Warsaw on the Rail Baltic section as early as 2030. The Prime Minister replied that the construction of Rail Baltic is an extremely important infrastructure connection and that the Estonian government and the private sector are doing everything possible to ensure the route is completed; already one-third of the route is under construction and a large part of the work will be implemented by the end of 2026. Cooperation between the Baltic states is also very important, and the recent meeting of the three prime ministers, where Lithuania pledged to be ready on time and Latvia confirmed the fulfillment of the same goal. Estonia is ready to build its route more affordably and faster, and, if necessary, Estonian private sector companies are ready to offer assistance.
The second part of the discussion focused on the situation of the Papiniidu bridge in the context of Rail Baltic: whether and how a joint solution for the highway bridge could be considered with the railway. Members of the Riigikogu pointed out that it is necessary to look at joint rides and possible economies, but the government explained that the decisions regarding specific individual objects are primarily made by infrastructure owners such as the Transport Agency or Rail Baltic; and that schedules and financing aspects are discussed with the relevant institutions. In the concluding style of the discussion, the idea was raised that the government would forward substantiated proposals to the relevant institutions and that efforts would continue to improve parliamentary culture and the quality of discussion. Finally, no formal decisions were made during this session, but thoughts were directed forward and promised to be passed on to the relevant institutions.
Decisions Made 1
No formal decisions were made. It was clarified that the schedule and funding are primarily decided by the infrastructure owners (the Transport Agency or Rail Baltic), and any rapid changes and additions will be forwarded to the relevant institutions; furthermore, the possibility of cooperation between the Papiniidu bridge and the Rail Baltic bridge was considered, and the government confirmed that it will forward wishes and ideas to the relevant institutions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Prime Minister VrDPwHs2xBs; he represents the government and participated in a lengthy and substantive discussion on the topics of Rail Baltic, covering both the financial and strategic aspects as well as international cooperation. Position: other (head of state, government member).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today's seventh question is addressed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal. It will be asked by Riigikogu member Rain Epler, and the topic is Rail Baltic.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks the Prime Minister whether it will be possible to travel by train from Tallinn to Warsaw on the Rail Baltic railway in 2030.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister assures that he will do everything to make this possible.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar paid Rain Epler a compliment, emphasizing that, pursuant to the Rules of Procedure Act, the question must be brief and allow for a short answer. He added that both the question and the answer were compliant with the law—a nod also to the Prime Minister—after which Rain Epler posed a clarifying question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked a direct question about whether it would be possible to travel to Warsaw, criticized the procedural conduct, and finally asked whether the Latvian Member of Parliament’s claim that the Latvian section would not be completed was false.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expressed his thanks and stated that they are all collectively taking steps to improve parliamentary culture, before asking the Prime Minister to respond.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Rail Baltic is a critically important piece of infrastructure, and Estonia will definitely complete its share of the work, given that one third of the route is already under construction and almost the entire line will be operational by the end of 2026, in cooperation with the governments of Lithuania and Latvia and the private sector.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks, and colleague Andres Metsoja will now pose a follow-up question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The government should consider reviewing the designs for the Papiniidu Bridge and the Rail Baltic Bridge, and potentially merging them into a single combined road and rail structure. This measure would generate cost savings and enhance both civilian and military mobility.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that he would forward this idea to the relevant infrastructure managers, and that decisions regarding specific objects would primarily be made by the infrastructure owners, such as the Transport Administration or Rail Baltica. He added that if the idea is good, he hopes they will use it, but the final decision rests with them.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the participants] and announces that the consideration of today's seventh item is concluded.