Integration of Ukrainian railways into the EU: Memorandum signed with the European Railways Agency

The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine has signed a memorandum with the European Railways Agency (ERA), which provides for cooperation in the field of technical harmonisation of the railway systems of the European Union and Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry.

The agreements, among other things, include expert and technical support for the Ministry in the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the European Railway Area. The parties pledged to work towards harmonisation of standards and regulations in the field of railway safety and interoperability of railways.

The memorandum also provides for the establishment of a steering committee to set priorities and step-by-step plans to achieve the parties’ common goals.

“The development of the Ukrainian railway is one of the prerequisites for full transport integration into the European Union. In fact, the European integration of the Ukrainian railway is one of the largest blocks of Ukraine’s transport European integration. I am convinced that with the support of ERA, we will be able to work together to adapt the Ukrainian railway to European standards, both physically and in terms of regulatory and legal regulation,” said Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

“ERA is proud to continue its fruitful cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities and take it to a new level. In the past, we have already made significant progress on strategic issues of establishing vital transport links between Ukraine and the EU in times of crisis, strengthening the Solidarity Roads, technical rehabilitation issues, TEN-T projects and many others. The efforts of the Ukrainian railway in wartime are nothing short of heroic and inspiring for all of us here in the European Union. By the way, we have a lot to learn from our Ukrainian friends when it comes to the distribution of goods by mode, as they carry more than 50% of the total volume of rail freight,” said Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of the European Railways Agency.

For reference 

The European Union Agency for Railways is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the implementation of EU legislation in the field of safety and technical policy in rail transport with a view to introducing the Single European Railway Area.