The present study revolves around the question of the appropriateness of “the White Elephant syndrome” to characterise the nature of the planned trans-Baltic railway project Rail Baltica (RB) in terms of its initial financing, long-term profitability and symbolic importance. Whereas, in general, the expected outcome of the project goes well together with the EU Cohesion Policy goals, in its concrete application RB could serve as an example of the tendency of politicians and public servants to institutionally lock themselves into certain irrational choices about publicly financed mega-projects. This is what “the White Elephant syndrome” metaphor illustrates. Methodologically, this paper aims to analyse whether RB meets the common criteria of “the White Elephant syndrome” of public investments or if it can be seen as a sustainable and profitable long-term project after the initial investment.

中文翻译：

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欧盟资助的外围大型基础设施项目和“白象综合症”：Rail Baltica的例子,欧盟资助的外围大型基础设施项目和“白象综合症”：Rail Baltica的例子

本研究围绕“白象综合症”的适当性问题，从初始融资，长期获利能力和象征重要性的角度来描述计划中的波罗的海铁路项目波罗的海（RB）的性质。总体而言，该项目的预期结果与欧盟凝聚政策目标很好地结合在一起，但在其具体应用中，RB可以作为政治家和公务员在制度上将自己锁定在某些不合理的公共财政选择方面的例子大型项目。这就是“白象综合症”的比喻。从方法上讲,本研究围绕“白象综合症”的适当性问题，从初始融资，长期获利能力和象征重要性的角度来描述计划中的波罗的海铁路项目波罗的海（RB）的性质。总体而言，该项目的预期结果与欧盟凝聚政策目标很好地结合在一起，但在其具体应用中，RB可以作为政治家和公务员在制度上将自己锁定在某些不合理的公共财政选择方面的例子大型项目。这就是“白象综合症”的比喻。从方法上讲