The Finnish Government said an application of €43 million is sent to the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CAF), a funding instrument to promote competitiveness through infrastructure investment for the member states.
Finland now argues this funds could also help improve military mobility across the EU by adapting parts of the trans-border transport network funding for dual use, improving both civilian and military transport. The country became a NATO member on April 4 this year, and reinforcement of Lapland with forces from Sweden and Norway has already been exercised.
This is the first time the new security landscape in northern Europe following Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine could trigger dual use of EU funding for roads and railways.
More than half of the sum, €23 million, will be earmarked for projects in Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region bordering Sweden and Norway, broadcaster YLE reported. […]
Upgrade of the old railway bridge across the Tornio River tops the list of seven highlighted projects by the Finnish Government. This railway line connects northern Finland with the city of Haparanda in Sweden and by that, further north towards the Norwegian deep-sea port of Narvik. Läs artikel