EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Railways, Transport

"At the political level, there are no disagreements as to the signing by all the states, through the joint venture, of a joint application for CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) money in the second call," the minister told the parliament on Thursday.

"There are now issues to be discussed in order to carry out all these works properly and find the best way to ensure that none of the states is at a disadvantage, that all works proceed smoothly and that public procurement procedures are international and transparent. This is what the talks and meetings are being held about," he said.

Stasys Dailydka, CEO of Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways), told BNS on Wednesday that RB Rail, the joint venture set up by the three Baltic countries to coordinate Rail Baltica, had become a stumbling block to the project.

"I see nothing wrong if the CEO of Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai sometimes makes his opinion known, and if there is a need to do something at the level of ministers or vice-ministers during the course of negotiations, this will be done," Sinkevicius said, commenting on Dailydka's world.

"In my opinion, the process is proceeding normally," the minister added.

Vilnius wants that the value-added tax paid for construction works carried out in Lithuania as part of Rail Baltica should remain in Lithuania, rather than going to Latvia, if tender procedures for contracts were conducted by Riga-based RB Rail.