Interpellation concerning the renewal of the Rail Baltic South Pärnu County spatial plan (No. 530)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-01 19:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item addressed the inquiry submitted by Riigikogu members Andres Metsoja and Andrei Korobeinik concerning the renewal of the Rail Baltic South Pärnu County spatial plan. The impetus for the inquiry was the 2020 Supreme Court decision, which partially annulled the previous county plan due to insufficient environmental impact assessment (KSH). The questioners, led by Andres Metsoja, highlighted the frustration and concern of local government leaders that the process has dragged on for nearly four years, creating uncertainty regarding the integrity and timeline of the project of the century. Metsoja emphasized that the railway can never be complete if construction rights are lacking in that intermediate section, and he requested clarification from the Prime Minister on how to ensure the project’s completion under sustainable conditions and by the desired deadline.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas provided an overview of the updated timeline and confirmed that the public disclosure and discussions of the KSH program took place in the summer of 2023, and the program was approved in October of the same year. The final planning solution and its appendices are expected to reach the public in the second quarter of 2024, and the adoption of the plan is scheduled for the second half of 2024. Construction procurements are planned to be concluded at the end of 2024 so that construction activity in Pärnu County could begin in 2025 and last until 2030. The Prime Minister stressed that the completion of Rail Baltic is a government priority that must meet the TEN-T regulation deadline (2030), and highlighted the risks associated with democratic processes and potential European Union clawbacks should the project not be completed on time.
Decisions Made 1
No formal decisions or legislative amendments were adopted during the inquiry. The proceedings were limited to an informative discussion and the hearing of the government's responses.
Most Active Speaker
The most active politician was Andres Metsoja, the representative of the interpellators, who presented a report, asked a clarifying question regarding the rolling stock, and delivered the final address. Metsoja’s stance was rooted in his role as the questioner, focusing on the concerns of local communities, the protracted nature of the planning process, and the necessity of ensuring that the Rail Baltic project progresses while simultaneously taking into account both environmental protection requirements (capercaillie habitats) and the emotional toll on people surrendering their land. He represented Parliament’s oversight function, pressuring the government to guarantee the project’s timely and comprehensive completion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today's agenda item concerns the interpellation submitted last year by Andres Metsoja and Andrei Korobeinik regarding the updating of the Rail Baltic spatial plan for South Pärnu County, which is presented by Riigikogu member Andres Metsoja.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja, acting as the interpellant, emphasizes that the planning for the Rail Baltic South Pärnu route corridor has been delayed due to a Supreme Court decision and an insufficient environmental impact assessment. Furthermore, a joint statement by local government leaders has called for a rapid and comprehensive reassessment. He therefore asks the Prime Minister for an overview and explanation of how the entire route, sustainably and as a whole, will manage to become operational for trains in 2028.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) updates were carried out in the summer of 2023, and public discussions took place. The new county planning and the environmental impact assessment are set to receive approval in 2024–2025, with ratification scheduled for the second half of 2024. Furthermore, project preparation, design, and construction will proceed in parallel from 2024 to 2030. The South Pärnu County route must be completed quickly, in collaboration with the Rail Baltic Steering Committee, to meet the TEN-T 2030 objectives. However, to mitigate risks and secure funding, timely work must be ensured at all levels, as the project's completion is dependent on funding, and the potential for fund clawbacks exists. A justification must be submitted to the European Commission within three months if any delay occurs. Therefore, rapid and coordinated action is required in cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked everyone and announced that the Q&A session would now begin, asking Andres Metsoja to pose his question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja wants to know what progress has been made in developing the rolling stock, whether a joint venture has been established with neighboring countries or if they plan to procure the stock from the market. He also asks who will ultimately place the order for the trains, how much state budget investment will be required, and what the expected delivery time for the rolling stock is.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas apologized, promising to verify the information and provide a written response, as she did not have the materials concerning the train procurement with her and did not wish to make an error.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister, confirmed that there were no further questions, opened the debate, and invited Andres Metsoja, the representative of the interpellators, to the Riigikogu podium to speak.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja stressed that the planning of Rail Baltic must consider the interests of local communities and nature conservation, evaluate alternatives if needed, and reinforce the state's strategic interest and the level of democracy, in order for the first phases to be initiated domestically in 2028.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the consideration of today's third interpellation, as there were no requests for the floor and the Madam Prime Minister did not wish to speak.