Iberian Summit: Montenegro says there are conditions for high-speed Lisbon-Madrid by 2034

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated on Friday (6th) that “all conditions” exist for high-speed trains to connect Lisbon and Madrid by 2034, acknowledging that deadlines from previous Iberian summits are not always met. He highlighted ongoing studies for the third crossing over the Tagus and the high-speed link, noting that a substantial part of the route from Évora to the border is already completed. Montenegro spoke in Huelva, Spain, during a joint conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the 36th Iberian summit, where both leaders addressed railway projects and the need for timely execution. Montenegro also mentioned the construction of a high-speed line connecting Lisbon, Porto, and Vigo, expected to be completed by 2032 or 2033. Sánchez emphasized the need to accelerate certain investments and reaffirmed Spain's commitment to the agreed railway connections, linking them to significant projects for both countries, such as the 2030 World Cup. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of the Iberian summits and the practical outcomes of their agreements, particularly in managing shared river flows during recent storms. They expressed solidarity with each other regarding the impacts of severe weather and the recent train accidents in Spain, and announced plans to create a flood warning system for the population.