
Article 1 
This Decision lays down a description of the actions and the implementation timetable for the cross-border project Rail Baltica (Tallinn-Pärnu-Riga-Panevėžys-Kaunas-Warszawa, with a connection to Vilnius), as well as related governance provisions.
Article 2 
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland shall ensure the timely implementation of the following actions:

((a)) by 31 December 2018:

((1)) consolidated preliminary technical design shall be completed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania;
((2)) strategic environmental assessments shall be completed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (except from Kaunas to Vilnius and from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border);
((3)) the study on infrastructure management in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania shall be completed and submitted to the national authorities of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania;
((b)) by 30 June 2019: a decision on the management of the built infrastructure shall be concluded by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania;
((c)) by 31 December 2020:

((1)) strategic environmental assessments shall be completed in Lithuania from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border;
((2)) the spatial (territorial) planning shall be completed and the detailed route alignment approved in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (except from Kaunas to Vilnius);
((3)) construction shall have been started in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania;
((4)) the technical design of the railway shall be completed in Estonia, Latvia (central section around Riga) and Lithuania (except from Kaunas to Vilnius and from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border);
((5)) detailed studies and environmental procedures defining the technical parameters and timeframe for the implementation of the section Ełk-Poland/Lithuania state border shall be completed in Poland;
((d)) by 31 December 2021:

((1)) the land acquisition shall be completed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (except from Kaunas to Vilnius and from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border);
((2)) the spatial (territorial) planning and strategic environmental assessments shall be completed and the detailed route alignment approved in Lithuania from Kaunas to Vilnius;
((3)) the technical design shall be completed in Latvia (northern and southern sections);
((e)) by 31 December 2023:

((1)) the land acquisition shall be completed in Lithuania from Kaunas to Vilnius and from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border;
((2)) the technical design of the railway shall be completed in Lithuania from Kaunas to Lithuania/Poland state border and from Kaunas to Vilnius;
((f)) by 31 December 2025:

((1)) the railway infrastructure shall be completed as a double-track railway line for mixed traffic, suitable for minimum 740-m long freight trains, electrified, in UIC gauge, in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland;
((2)) the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) shall be deployed to achieve the full interoperability, in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/6, in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland;
((3)) capacity shall be ensured for the trans-shipment in existing and new rail-road terminals, which shall be connected by a fast conventional double track electrified railway line and European standard gauge (1 435 mm).
Article 3 

1. The progress of the actions referred to in Article 2 shall be discussed at least twice a year between the representatives of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland at the intergovernmental (ministerial) Rail Baltica Task Force, with participation of the European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic Core Network Corridor and representatives of the Commission.
2. The European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic Core Network Corridor and representatives of the Commission and nominated representatives of Poland and Finland shall be invited to participate as observers in the meetings of the Supervisory Board of RB Rail AS.
Article 4 
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland shall report at least once a year to the Commission and to the European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic Core Network Corridor on the progress in implementing the actions referred to in Article 2 and shall notify any delay encountered, specifying the causes for the delay and indicating the corrective measures taken. For this purpose those Member States may use, when appropriate, the content of the Annual Status Reports to be submitted under the Connecting Europe Facility Grant Agreements.
Article 5 
By 31 December 2023 at the latest, the Commission shall, after consultation with Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and with the assistance of the European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic Core Network Corridor carry out a review of the actions and of the timetable referred to in Article 2.
Article 6 
This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Finland.
Done at Brussels, 26 October 2018.
For the Commission
Violeta BULC
Member of the Commission