Investments, Latvia, Legislation, Railways, Transport

Anrijs Matiss, Ugis Magonis and Raimonds Vejonis. Photo: ldz.lv

Magonis had a meeting with Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis and Transport Minister Anrijs Matiss on May 15th to discuss long-term investments in railroad infrastructure necessary for transport of NATO cargo. The officials have decided to set up a task force that will include representatives from the Transport Ministry, Defense Ministry, Latvijas Dzelzcels and National Armed Forces. The task force will identify the amount of the necessary funding, Vejonis said after the meeting. The funds could be allotted from the state budget, although other sources of funding are also possible, including NATO financing.

The necessary investment in railroad infrastructure is estimated at EUR 0.5 million to EUR 1 million, which will be invested in infrastructure and rolling stock. Latvijas Dzelzcels could cover part of the project, said Magonis, explaining though that normally it should be the contracting side to provide the funds, as "we are not the army". However, taking into consideration the complexity of the situation, the railroad company cannot simply say that it will not do anything. But that means, in turn, less money for other investment projects.

Vejonis said that the investments were necessary because of the increasing presence of NATO in the Baltic region. Transport of NATO cargo is necessary for military exercises, and infrastructure development at ports, the airport, and the railroad is of great importance for Latvia as a host country.

Matiss added that Latvijas Dzelzcels was already cooperating actively with the Defense Ministry in several areas. Latvijas Dzelzcels is not just a company, it is the owner of strategic railroad infrastructure in Latvia, he reminded.