The issue

The starting point for this proposed theme is the perceived insufficiency of long-distance transport links in parts of the BSR, particularly regarding Baltic States and coastal areas of Germany - Poland – Kaliningrad – Lithuania - Latvia.

Most BSR countries have developed, sometimes quite sophisticated, systems to decide on future transport infrastructure investments. Spatial aspects are considered only insofar as spatial structures are reflected in demand forecasts. No regional development impacts from infrastructure improvements are taken into consideration. The same is true for existing transnational transport infrastructure development concepts (e.g. TINA) which concentrate on linking major urban centres together.

Therefore, infrastructure planning tends to perpetuate existing spatial disparities and insufficient use of regional development potentials.

The proposed concept

This theme has a geographically wider perspective than theme no.2 (strategic transnational integration zones) which adopted a regional perspective. It has a clear focus on transport links, but looks at these from the cross-BSR and pan-European spatial integration point of view.

Current preparations for the next update of the long-term investment plan in Germany envisage the explicit consideration of three spatial development goals: (1) Support to decentralised development, (2) Improvement of accessibility to urban centres from all parts of the country, and (3) Reducing pressure on corridors and agglomerations already being highly loaded. Using these criteria, corridors are identified where, in addition to transport-economic considerations, an improvement of links should be sought.

Such approach might also be introduced at a pan-Baltic level. It would add to the quality of the TINA concept.

Examples for transport links which may be promoted

The following list is indicative only. Other links may be considered relevant at any stage.

                     Within the Via Baltica project, one of the VASAB projects, an initiative was taken to promote Via Baltica Rail. This is in line with action proposed here, putting it into a systematic context.

                     Via Hanseatica (Lübeck - Rostock - Szczecin - Gdánsk - Kaliningrad - Jelgava - Riga - Narva) to support integration of southern and south-eastern Baltic coastal regions.

                     Klaipeda/ Kaliningrad - Kaunas - Vilnius - Minsk (Crete corridor IXB).

                     Development of new ferry connections as parts of intermodal transport chains; such projects consider the specific advantage offered by the BSR to promote environment friendly sea transport and intermodal connection points to become nodes of regional development.

                     Hinterland links from Ventspils, Liepaja, Riga and Tallinn up to Crete corridor no. IX.

                     In some regions, air links are essential to improve the competitiveness of regions.

Potential co-operation projects

The BSR offers a unique potential for sea transport. To use this opportunity, harbour development must be coordinated with port hinterland infrastructure and intermodal centres.

Planning for transnational transport links is the responsibility of Ministries of Transport. VASAB seeks to contribute from spatial development perspective. This may include the following:

                     Propose a joint methodological and procedural approach for the consideration of spatial development aspects when planning for transport infrastructure investments.

                     Promote this approach in discussions with national transport planners and with transnational bodies to become a transnationally coordinated project identification and assessment tool.

In accordance with the above, proposed projects include:

                     Methodology development;

                     Umbrella project to

Assess priorities for transport infrastructure development which considers regional economic, social and environmental impacts,
Substantiate from regional sustainable development point of view intermodal connection points requiring improvement in the TINA network,

                     Extended feasibility assessment for selected links (considering regional and environmental aspects).

Transnational institutions to be involved in the framework of this key theme include cross-sector bodies (EU Commission DG Regio and TINA; CBSS, BSSSC, CPMR, Baltic21), as well as transport sector institutions (EU Commission DG Transport and BSR Ministers of Transport).