LITHUANIAN SECTOR OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS 2020 FIRST QUARTER
COVID-19: Special ights for citizens returning from abroad, consignments of protective equipment for medics
With the spread of the dangerous coronavirus infection, which causes COVID-19, resulting in the border closures of Euro- pean Union member states, many Lithuanian citizens were unable to return to Lithuania due to cancelled ights and travel restrictions imposed by member countries.
In light of this, the Ministry of Transport and Communications organised 22 charter ights from Spain, France, The Neth- erlands, Poland, Indonesia, Bali, Great Britain, Denmark and Norway. It has been estimated that due to the e orts of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, about 3,600 people returned to Lithuania, most of whom were Lithuanian citizens. A mandatory 14 day self-isolation period followed for all returnees.
The Ministry of Transport organised a record-breaking air cargo transportation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from China. The government ordered 1.8m respirators; 5.7m face masks; 1.8m disposable hats; 0.8m protective goggles; 1.8m disposable gowns; over 1m protective coveralls with a hood; 15m disposable gloves and 3.6m booties. A total of EUR 24m was allocated for the purchase of these protective measures.
A little earlier, a plane with 300,000 units of reagents arrived in Lithuania. These were distributed to the national laborato- ries testing samples for the coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
Arrival procedure in Lithuania tightened up Over EUR 350m investment for the development of Klaipėda On 1 April, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania tightened the proce- seaport by the end of 2023 dure for entry into Lithuania, which came into force at midnight on 4 April 2020. Passenger ights to and from Lithuanian airports have been prohibited, except for those with a separate permit from the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration, in coordination with the Ministers of Transportation and For- eign a airs. The exemption is intended to take account of the humanitarian situation, and the need to arrange joint EU repatriation ights for citizens to return home. The decision was also made to forbid port entry into Lithuania to passengers except for those using the Kiel-Klaipeda-Kiel ferry. Entry into Lithu- ania by road transport from Poland and Latvia is allowed through two border Klaipeda State Seaport Authority intends to allocate the largest amount of funds to port quay construction and recon- checkpoints: Kalvarija and Saločiai. struction projects, as well as to the water area and quay dredging works over the next three years. It is planned to invest EUR 352.4m in the development of Klaipėda Seaport during the same period, with part of the cost being Restrictions do not apply to the movement of goods. Freight transport will be nanced from the EU structural funds. able to arrive in Lithuania by ferry, and consignments can be transported by air. Klaipeda port continues to be the leader among the Baltic States. In order to maintain its existing position, the port must be competitive, and needs to respond promptly to the changing conditions of the global market, and therefore create the necessary port infrastructure.
Nine ministers call on the European Commission to address the shortcomings of the Mobility Package and maintain the EU Green Deal Transport ministers from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, and Romania have called on the European Commission to assess the impact of the provisions in the forthcoming Mobility Package of the EU's Green Deal ambitions. The ministerial meeting with Vice-President, Frans Timmermans, and Commissioner, Adina Valean, took place after the European Commission acknowledged the potential negative e ects during the nal stages of negotiations last year, promising to assess them and present a solution before the controversial legislation enters into force.
Ministers noted some concerns and raised questions regarding the integrity and functioning of the single market. Requiring the return of vehicles will prevent carriers from island Member States to reap the benets of the single market, and the opportunities for carriers from peripheral countries will be severely limited by the geographical location of their home country.
In addition, the problem is partly related to third country operators, as there are no measures at EU level to ensure e ec- tive control across Europe. This situation could put EU carriers at a competitive disadvantage, reduce the environmental performance of road transport, and fail to achieve the social objectives of the mobility package.
Ministers considered that the impact assessment should be completed as soon as possible, allowing sucient time for remedial action before the mobility package enters into force.
Lithuanian transport giants have established Lithuania and like-minded EU countries request to a "sandbox" of transport innovations suspend the consideration and adoption of the
The transport innovation environment (sandbox) has started operating in Lithuania. Start-ups Mobility package entering it will have exclusive access to the "Road maintenance", Lithuanian Railways and Lithuani- In view of the situation in the European transport market, changed by the coronavirus pandemic, an Post infrastructure, data and expert consultations. Lithuania, together with like-minded European Union countries; Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Poland, Malta, Romania and Hungary, has called for the EU Mobility package to be suspended until the A safe environment for testing innovative ideas was created by the public institution, "Transport pandemic ends, and its impact over the transport sector will be assessed. Innovation Centre", which unites all three state-owned companies. This initiative aims to encourage the creation and development of innovation in the Lithuanian transport sector and their implemen- Due to the changed situation and uncertainty about when the crisis will end, and its impact on tation in state-owned companies. the future, the transport ministers of the eight countries addressed the European Commission's Transport commissioner, Adina-Ioana Vălean, the Croatian President of the EU Council, and the It is important for large companies to collaborate with technology startups, and these startups need transport ministers of all EU countries with the request. their infrastructure, data, and expert insight. An emerging innovation environment will connect these two business worlds.
Annual growth of transport sector driven by increasing "Vision 0" approved - the goal is to reach zero exports of services to key markets fatalities on Lithuanian roads by 2050
According to preliminary data, the economic indicators for the Lithuanian transport sector contin- In order to protect lives on the roads, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the ambitious State Traf- ued to grow last year. Gross value added (GVA) in the transport sector increased by 8%, corporate c Safety Programme, “Vision 0”, prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The income by 9%, and the number of enterprises and employees in the sector also increased. The big- vision of this programme is to have zero fatalities on Lithuanian roads by 2050. By 2030, fatalities gest impact on the sector's results was a 16.2% increase in the export of transport services. on the country's roads should have halved compared to the gure for 2019. The priorities of this programme are safer road user behaviour, safer roads and streets, safer vehicles, more e ective post-accident assistance and more e ective accident risk management.
Faster progress of the "Rail Baltica" project during 2020
The implementation of the "Rail Baltica" project that is of strategic importance to Lithuania is moving forward rapidly - the works of the second stage are gaining momentum. During this year, the European gauge railway line, will have reached the Kaunas intermodal terminal.
During the second construction phase of "Rail Baltica", a European standard railway will be constructed, which will allow freight trains to travel at a maximum speed of 120km/h, and passenger trains at 249km/h, except in urban and built up areas. During the year, the way will be opened for businesses to use "Rail Baltica" opportunities. Conditions will also be created not only for the uninterrupted transportation of standard cargo but also military cargo.
Baltic Transport Ministers agree that "Rail Baltica" should be completed by 2026
The meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Ministers of Transport of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, discussed the progress of the "Rail Baltica" project and the integration of the management model, which would help achieve the main goal of accelerating work and building the railway by 2026.
It was agreed that depending on the progress of the project and the work that has already been completed, each party should continue planned activities and assess how to further improve the project management structure in order to achieve project implementation in a timely manner. In the assessment by the parties, it is important to take into account that there should be no new delays, no additional risks to national security, and that smooth nancing of the project is ensured.
Lithuania seeks additional EU funds for the construction of the "Rail Baltica" main line
Lithuania, together with its project partners, submitted applications for additional European infrastructure network measures for the EU invest- ment in the "Rail Baltica" project activities. The total request for EU funding of the project indicated in the application submitted by all countries is EUR 664.1m, of which Lithuania's share is EUR 278.9m. The EU institutions are expected to approve nancing in June-July this year.
After receiving these funds, it is planned to install a railway bed from Kaunas to Panevėžys by the end of 2023, and to build a European standard 1435mm wide double railway for the rst 60km from Palemonas in Kaunas, north towards Panevėžys.
Public opinion: "Rail Baltica" will improve the country's image and will promote tourism
Public opinion polls conducted at the end of 2019 show that "Rail Baltica" is a well-known and publicly welcomed project, which according to the respondents, will not only improve travel opportunities in our country, promote inbound tourism, but also help create the image of a modern state.
According to a study carried out by "Spinter Research" in October 2019, 56% of Lithuanian residents were aware of the construction of the Euro- pean gauge railway.
The study shows that the public feels the need for a faster and more convenient railway, with 80% of respondents feeling it is lacking and accord- ing to 77% of the respondents, "Rail Baltica" will meet this need and Lithuania will have faster and more convenient train connections.
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