EUROCITIES TEN-T GROUP IN TALLINN, 20.10.2015

The TEN-T working group of the EUROCITIES network met in Tallinn on October 20, 2015. Rail Baltica, the mega project on the North Sea - Baltic core network corridor, was discussed from the local and transnational perspectives.

Mr. Jaak-Adam Looveer from the City of Tallinn gave a presentation of the city planning project of connecting the Tallinn airport and Rail Baltica. The project improves multimodal connections of the central area of Tallinn and connects the developing business region around the airport effectively to the city.

Malla Paajanen's presentation focused on Rail Baltica from the viewpoint of its successful Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) application and multi-level governance. Multi-level governance approach adds perspective to the project which consists of far more complicated stakeholder input than only those between the EU and three Member States concerned, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Cities and regions in the catchment area of Rail Baltica region have made significant supporting actions in various development and promotional projects.

Video news clip by Tallinn TV at tallinnatv.ee "Liikuvusfoorumil räägiti ka Rail Balticast"

TEN-T Corridor Studies Kick-off Conference in Brussels on January 8-9, 2014

From right to left: Jürgen Werner, Martin Heiland, Tõnis Tamme, Malla Paajanen, Gerard Bruil (all representing Proximare), and Advisor James Pond (DG MOVE).

The European Commission, DG MOVE organized the TEN-T Corridor Studies Kick-off Conference for nine Core Network Corridors in Brussels on January 8-9, 2014.  The first day of the Conference consisted of a joint session chaired by Head of Unit Herald Ruijters for the European Coordinators, Advisors and Contractors. The discussions during the day covered the financial framework of the Regulation,  work and communication structure of the Corridor Studies and the nominated teams at the EC. In each Corridor, the progress of the work of the Contractors will be reported in the series of meetings of the Corridor Forum.

The second day consisted of an internal work meeting for each Corridor between the European Coordinator, Advisor and the representatives of the contractor. The discussions during the day included elaboration on the the concrete work plan, timetable and important working tools, such as the TENtec system. Also horizontal topics such as the Rail Freight Corridors, Motorways of the Sea and ERTMS were discussed.

From right: European Coordinator Pavel Telička, Project Manager Malla Paajanen, and Advisor James Pond.

The Proximare consortium was represented by Tõnis Tamme (Triniti), Juergen Werner (Norton Rose Fulbrignt), Gerard Bruil (Goudappel Coffeng), Martin Heiland (IPG-Potsdam) and Malla Paajanen. 

The European Coordinator of the North Sea – Baltic Corridor is Pavel Telička with James Pond as his Advisor. 

Catherine Trautmann was nominated in 2014 as the European Coordinator of North Sea - Baltic core network corridor.

Kauppalehti 27.12.2013

The leading business magazine Kauppalehti, reported by Olli Herrala, gave important visibility to the development of the Rail Baltic connection and the forthcoming study by Proximare consortium on the North Sea - Baltic Corridor.

Kauppalehti (FI) on 27.12.2013.

Titled "The fast Baltic railway connection will come true" Kauppalehti elaborated on the importance of the land connection (road, railways) to Finland's international trade. 

The article included several quotes by experts and stakeholders who have an interest in the Rail Baltic process (translations by MP):

"The Rail Baltic process, which has been in the planning phase for years, is bound to speed up this spring because the Rail Baltic Joint Venture will need to submit its financial application to the EU. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together ultimately understand the economic pressure. The creation of the Rail Baltic Joint Venture between the three Baltic States calls for strong political guidance and leadership." by Malla Paajanen

"The efficiency of transport networks is crucial for the competitiveness of the Finnish export industry. Finland locates at the end of the supply chain and therefore Finland will benefit tremendously when the leading trading points in the Western Europe are connected to the Baltic region by railways." by Malla Paajanen

The discussion about the sulphur regulation (due in 2015) proves how important it is for the industries to find alternative transport routes that are economically attractive. The Rail Baltic investment operate as an easing element to the ever-increasing pressure on road traffic." by Malla Paajanen

"The fast Rail Baltic connection will be ready in 2022 at the earliest. The demand by the Finnish export industry has a significant role in the scenario, as the Finnish will benefit the most of the connection." by Olli Keinänen, Senior Advisor, International Relations, City of Helsinki

"The Finnish forest industry is already in the process of investigating opportunities that the improving railway connections could provide. They could become a new and well-functioning transport corridor." by Olli Keinänen

"We cannot count on this alternative (of Rail Baltic). The existing connection from Tallinn to Gdansk operates now moderately, and according to our transport route connections map this is not among our core regions, whereas our core regions are for instance in Turkey and even further to the east." by Jussi Sarvikas, Logistics Director, UPM

"Both by infrastructure development and transport service providers the development in the Baltic States is very slow. There are so many countries and actors involved that the parties don't simply find a common interest." by Jussi Sarvikas