OREANDA-NEWS. May 23, 2014. The main topic of the meeting between Prime Minister Taavi Roivas and Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius was the development related to the Rail Baltic project. The Prime Ministers acknowledged that the interim standstill has been solved and it is possible to stay on schedule with the project.

Prime Minister Roivas confirmed that Estonia supports the aggregation of Vilnius to the route; however, it should not impede the rapid progress of the main route.

“The main differences have been settled now and the Ministries for Economic Affairs should continue cooperation in the next phase, to create a joint company and submit a joint application in order to aggregate Vilnius to the route,” Roivas said. “It is top priority and time-critical to create a joint company and submit a joint application to the first funding round of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Otherwise, we risk losing funding from the CEF.”

Roivas stressed that the rail link is not only necessary to increase the competitiveness of the region, but also for security policy considerations.

The security situation was also under discussion at the meeting of the Prime Ministers. Prime Minister Roivas said that NATO’s quick action has given a greater confidence to the region and shown the credibility of the largest security organisation.

Roivas pointed out that the introduction of Amari as air policing base in addition to Siauliai is positive and definitely ensures greater security for all. “It is in our interests that the Allies are located in as many places as possible in our region,” Roivas said.

The Prime Ministers also discussed Lithuania’s plan to increase defence costs to two percent by 2020. According to Roivas, Lithuania has taken the only good way, showing a commitment to the principle of solidarity and having an impact on the security of the entire region.

The rapid economic development in Lithuania and joining the euro zone in 2015 were also discussed at the meeting. Prime Minister Roivas confirmed that Estonia, for its part, is ready to fully support the preparations for the changeover to the euro in Lithuania.

The Prime Ministers also discussed the energy connections and the development related to Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant. Furthermore, the cross-border introduction of digital signatures in three Baltic States was spoken about. Prime Minister Roivas expressed hope that work between the experts and officials from the three countries will continue and by the end of this year, the implementation of interfaces in national signing software will take place, which would enable the citizens and traders of the Baltic countries to jointly sign their mutual documents digitally on the basis of the three countries.

The Prime Minister also met with President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite and they discussed security issues and the ongoing elections of the European Parliament. Together, it was noted that we are being listened to by our Allies and partners and currently, it is important for the Baltic States to express their opinions in one and strong voice.