Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis said that it is not reasonable to start purchasing land for the Haapsalu railway before the EU funding decision. He spoke about this in response to the Riigikogu support group for the restoration of the Haapsalu railway.
The support group wants the government to declare the Turba-Haapsalu-Rohuküla railway a nationally important project and start reserving and purchasing land. Leis said that preparations are currently underway for the state plan for the new EU financial period.
Leis noted that no decision has yet been made on project funding. He said that a decision can only be made after the state plan is approved. Once funding is secured, construction of the Turba-Risti section can begin.
The Haapsalu railway support group said on March 13 that negotiations for the new EU funding period are already underway. They want the Rohuküla railway to be one of Estonia's strategic projects.
On March 19, Leis said that major projects are already underway and the Rohuküla railway has not been part of the state budget strategy in recent years. He said that he can ask the EU for money for the Haapsalu railway but did not say whether he would definitely do so.