The Trans-European railway Rail Baltica, linking Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – Warsaw and continuing on to Berlin, is to be developed within the territories of the co-operating EU Member States.The Interreg IIIB project Rail Baltica had two main goals: (a) the definition of the most favourable route for the Rail Baltica railway link in terms of spatial planning and regional development, and (b) the raising of the awareness of the relevant actors (national and regional administrations and decision makers, industry and the public) in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) on the benefits of attractive railway connections.Activities of the project mainly focused on the definition of a common approach and a development strategy to enhance the benefits of the railway link. The project was implemented in close cooperation with the parallel technical pre-feasibility study initiated by the EC (TPFS). The pre-feasibility study was completed in January, 2007. In accordance with the planned activities the result of the technical feasibility study was analyzed. The alternative Rail Baltica routes proposed by the study were evaluated. Interim results of both projects were exchanged regularly and even the evaluation of the interim report of the technical feasibility study was carried out. The evaluation of draft report of Rail Baltica pre-feasibility study was carried out, taking into the account regional development and spatial planning aspects. The definition of the most favourable route was planned to elaborate in line with the technical feasibility study. The evaluation of the final report of the pre-feasibility study was carried out before the definition of the most favourable route.The study on the definition of the most favourable route was based on the results of the technical feasibility study as well as taking into the account development and spatial planning priorities and requirements. During the project implementation process all the partners came to conclusions that there are great differences in regard to the spatial planning activities and regional development strategies in the participating countries, thus it is impossible to develop one single development and assessment strategy. Therefore development strategies of each country were discussed during the partner meetings and workshops in order to find common issues and differences. Achievements: There was the analysis of the technical pre-feasibility study (prepared by COWI) carried out. The partners came to a common conclusion that this study is not sufficient enough and needs improvements and further studies on its basis. Furthermore an Action plan for the following activities and methodology for the assessment of the most favourable route of Rail Baltica railway line were elaborated.A number of cases studies which could serve as the basis for the future in-depth studies on the construction of the new railway line were elaborated.On the basis of the methodology, case studies and the technical pre-feasibility study the study on the most favourable Rail Baltica route was elaborated.Seminars and meetings were organised to raise the awareness of public. The information regarding the project was published in the EU official journal Regional Review. The Final report including recommendation was printed and disseminated.