Rail Baltica: Nordic-Baltic Rail’s Strategic Future & EU Cooperation

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Introduction

A high-level seminar on Rail Baltica and regional cooperation took place in Helsinki on 14 October 2025, bringing together around 80 participants to discuss the project’s economic, defence, and transport benefits for the Nordic–Baltic region.

Main Content

Seminar Overview

The seminar, titled “Rail Baltica and strategic mobility for a stronger Nordic–Baltic region”, was held at the House of Industries. Participants included representatives from government institutions, the diplomatic corps, transport and defence sectors, and Nordic–Baltic industry associations. The event was part of an ongoing stakeholder engagement programme aimed at fostering dialogue with EU Member States and strategic partners.

Opening Remarks

Opening remarks were delivered by Ms Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, and Mr Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure of Estonia. Both ministers emphasized the importance of resilient transport links for economic and security cooperation in Northern Europe. Minister Ranne highlighted the value of Baltic–Finnish cooperation and the shared goal of developing future-proof infrastructure. Minister Leis stressed its strategic significance, describing it as the largest infrastructure investment in the region in a century. He noted that in Estonia, over 100 kilometres of the railway are under construction, with contracts covering the entire route, and trains are planned to travel from Tallinn to Warsaw by 2030.

Regional Cooperation

The three Baltic ambassadors to Finland also underlined its role in regional cooperation. H.E. Ms Janne Jõesaar-Ruusalu, Ambassador of Estonia, described it as a strategic investment in resilience, security, and cohesion. H.E. Ms Dace Treija-Masi, Ambassador of Latvia, emphasized that it has become a strategic enabler of deterrence, defence, and long-term regional stability. H.E. Mr Edvilas Raudonikis, Ambassador of Lithuania, highlighted the railway as a strategic opportunity for Finland, noting its potential as a reliable land alternative to maritime routes and a gateway to new markets.

Keynote Presentation and Discussions

The keynote presentation by Ms Ulla Heinonen, Director of Green Growth at the Confederation of Finnish Industries, outlined Finland’s perspective on strengthening international transport connections and the need for deeper integration with the European network. A central discussion focused on the dual-use potential of infrastructure in the Nordic–Baltic region, exploring how large-scale projects can support both defence readiness and economic resilience. Experts discussed the railway’s role as the backbone of regional military mobility, the importance of dual-use infrastructure in strengthening defence and economic development, and urgent priorities such as funding, EU and NATO alignment, and protection against hybrid and cyber threats.

Concluding Remarks

Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board at RB Rail AS, concluded that “Europe is stronger when the Baltics are connected and resilient.” The Helsinki seminar followed a previous event in Berlin earlier this year and precedes sessions in Brussels, Paris, Stockholm, Madrid, and other European capitals. These events aim to deepen awareness of strategic importance for Europe’s future mobility, security, and competitiveness.

Conclusion

The seminar in Helsinki focused on Rail Baltica’s benefits, with discussions on infrastructure, regional cooperation, and dual-use potential, highlighting the project’s role in economic and security cooperation. The event was part of a series of engagements aimed at raising awareness of the project’s strategic importance.

Company Summary

RB Rail AS: A company that is not mentioned in the text.

Confederation of Finnish Industries: A company that is not mentioned in the text.

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