Implementation of transport infrastructure projects in Lithuania for Vilnius-Kaunas dipolis development

Abstract

The "Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession" (ISPA) was one of the Euro¬pean Community's financial instruments, set up to assist the ten Central and East European coun¬tries to prepare for accession. ISPA provides financial support for investment in the areas of envi¬ronment and transport. In the transport infrastructure sector, the main priority is (he development of the Trans-European Network (TEN) along with access roads. During the Pan-European Trans¬port Conference, which took part in 1994 in Crete, two international corridors were identified to cross the territory of Lithuania that are of European importance i.e. international corridor No. I or Highway Via Baltica (link Helsinki-Tallinn-Riga-Kaunas-Warsaw) and international corridor No IX (route Kiev-Minsk-Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda). Vilnius and Kaunas, the two largest cities in Lithua¬nia, are joining forces to establish one of the most advanced centres in Central and Eastern Europe. The Vilnius and Kaunas Region will help to increase economic potential and enhance competitive advantages not only of the two cities, but of the whole country as well. Lithuania, be¬ing a member of the European Union and having a "Euro City" metropolis will offer broader oppor¬tunities for international business and investments. The paper shows the importance of transport infrastructure in Lithuania for Vilnius-Kaunas dipolis development.