Minister Sabutis to Meet the Commissioner for Defence and Space and the Chair of the European Parliament’s TRAN Committee

Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis is leaving for Brussels on Wednesday to discuss strategic transport projects and investments in the development of transport and military mobility links in Europe with the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi.

On 19-21 February, Mr Sabutis is also scheduled to meet Mr Kai Tegethoff, Coordinator of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, Mr Alberto Mazzola, Executive Director of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and Ms Reluca Marian, Head of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) Brussels Office. At the meetings, the Minister will highlight the need for additional investment to further strengthen the dual-purpose military and civilian mobility links with Europe.

During his visit to Brussels, the Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications will also meet the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, Virginijus Sinkevičius, and other Lithuanian MEPs.

According to Mr Sabutis, when planning the future EU budget after 2028, it is crucial to ensure continuous and sufficient EU funding for long-term projects such as Via Baltica and Rail Baltica. According to the Minister, additional EU investment would increase the overall efficiency of Europe’s transport system and improve the North-South transport corridor linking the Baltic, Black and Aegean Seas.

So far, Lithuania has secured over €125 million in EU funding to develop military mobility links to Europe. Looking at just our country’s military mobility needs, Lithuania would need an additional €3.5 billion in the future.