The Visegrád Group (V4) countries have signed the Prague Declaration on transport infrastructure

The declaration aims to strengthen cooperation in securing additional EU funding for strategic projects. These projects aim to enhance EU connectivity and improve military mobility, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Ministers of Transport and representatives from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, and Slovakia participated in the declaration. Its primary focus is on developing railway transport, crucial for achieving environmental goals, economic growth, and regional competitiveness.

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Special attention is given to developing high-speed rail networks in central and northeastern EU regions. The document highlights strategic projects such as Rail Baltica and Via Vindobona, connecting Berlin, Prague, and Vienna.

Lithuania’s Minister of Transport, Marius Skuodis, emphasized the significant impact of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica on regional connectivity and new opportunities for freight transport with Ukraine and Moldova.

Full integration into EU transport networks is prioritized to enhance transportation links and regional defense capabilities. Ministers stress the need for increased EU investment in transport projects to achieve these goals.

The declaration also focuses on creating a sustainable, smart, and resilient transport network under the revised TEN-T guidelines, and completing geostrategic connections along the North-South and Northeast axes.

Modernizing existing railway infrastructure to improve capacity, competitiveness, and accessibility, as well as enhancing military mobility, are key objectives of the document.

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Special emphasis is placed on funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Cohesion Funds to achieve transport and climate goals by 2030. Ministers call for ambitious CEF ambitions in the Multiannual Financial Framework to fund strategic transport projects.

The declaration also underscores the need for financing sources to decarbonize the transport system, crucial for transitioning to more sustainable transport.

Czech Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, highlighted V4 countries’ commitment to cooperation with other EU member states, the European Commission, and Parliament to create a sustainable, resilient, and interconnected transport network.

With the Czech Republic chairing the Visegrád Group until June 30, 2024, cooperation in preparing and building high-speed railroads in the V4 region is a priority. Projects like Via Vindobona are expected to provide rapid connections between Berlin, Prague, and Vienna, with travel times not exceeding two and a half hours.

Rail Baltica will connect Baltic countries to the rest of the EU railway network via Poland. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2030, with projections of handling 51.7 million passenger trips and 10.9 million tons of freight by 2046. However, project costs continue to rise, with up to €23.8 billion required for the second phase post-2030.

In summary, the Prague Declaration on transport infrastructure represents a significant step towards improving transport connectivity and military mobility in the European Union, supporting sustainable economic growth and environmental initiatives.

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