"The great structuring project of the Euroregion [Galicia - North of Portugal], which is high speed, is always something that will remain on the table until it is implemented. We currently have an objective target, of 2030 or the beginning of the 2030s for this to be completed", the president of CCDR-Norte, António Cunha, told journalists.
Asked whether the project will be immune to political changes in both Portugal and Spain, the northern Portuguese leader said he had "the hope that political changes will not jeopardize what are structuring projects".
"Even on the Portuguese side there is a big decision to be taken soon, which is the confirmation of the Portuguese application for funds from the CEF [Connecting Europe Facility] for high-speed infrastructure, and this has to happen in January", recalled António Cunha.
The president of the Xunta of Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, also said that the perception in his territory is that, "despite the problems and political changes that may occur in Portugal, this is a serious commitment".
"To be a serious commitment, there is nothing better than putting budgets, money, and public resources on the table and making proposals. The perception is that, from here, in Portugal, it will be done. And if we start and don't if it stops, the year 2030 seems a reasonable date", said the Galician leader.
The Lisbon-Porto high-speed project, with an estimated cost of around 4.5 billion euros, foresees a connection between the two cities in an hour and 15 minutes, with possible stops in Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro and Gaia.
At the same time, the Porto-Vigo connection is also being developed, dependent on coordination with Spain, with a new connection to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and the Braga-Valença section (Viana do Castelo district).