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

"There's a risk and a threat that, through no fault of Lithuania, the Rail Baltica joint project may, if not fail, then come to a halt," he told a news conference. "Frankly, we seriously looking at whether it would be faster, safer and more rational for Lithuania to implement the project on its territory on our own." 

RB Rail, the Baltic joint venture coordinating the project, has additional 'organizational hurdles" related to its management, according to the minister. 

Vilnius does not agree to works in Lithuania being performed by a company that is not controlled by the state or to a non-state operator operating in the country, he said. 

Narkevic noted that Poland is carrying out the project on its own, in direct cooperation with the European Commission.

"We have to consider implementation it all by ourselves, which is what we are doing, in direct communication with the European Commission's representatives," the minister said, adding that is his personal opinion, but it is being discussed.

"We (have) to take certain tougher decisions, because the Rail Baltica project is in a really complicated situation," he said.

Lithuania is meeting its commitments and is ready to complete the project by 2026, as planned, according to the minister. 

The total value of the Rail Baltica project in the Baltic states is estimated at around EUR 5.8 bn. It will stretch for 870 kilometers across the three countries, including 392 kilometers in Lithuania.