The strategic partnership between the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) and the Deutsche Bahn railway company (Germany) will provide for operational cooperation and provision of advice by Deutsche Bahn, but Ukrzaliznytsia will remain under full control of the state.
This was announced by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksii Honcharuk, the CFTS portal reports.
“Let me dispel all the rumors that are currently surrounding this issue. Our team is currently negotiating with the German side on further cooperation on operational issues and provision of advisory services by the German railway. In any case, this cooperation will definitely improve the efficiency and quality of rail transport in Ukraine," Honcharuk wrote on Facebook.
He added, “To avoid speculation, it is only about a strategic partnership and does not involve sale or concession of Ukrzaliznytsia. The Ukrainian railway remains under full control of the state, and that is definite. Full stop!”
In addition, the prime minister announced that a meeting would be held with representatives of ministries and the parliament’s transport committee on January 24 to agree all the details of the future cooperation with the German railway giant.
Honcharuk also said that a strategic partnership agreement with Deutsche Bahn would be signed in Kyiv on February 5.
As the CFTS portal reported, the German company has said that the two companies are currently discussing further details of the cooperation, including participation in operational management of Ukrzaliznytsia.
A memorandum was signed between Deutsche Bahn and the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure on January 22. According to the text of the memorandum, the two parties will explore the possibility of creating a strategic partnership between Ukrzaliznytsia and Deutsche Bahn.
After the signing of the memorandum, Honcharuk stated that management of Ukrzaliznytsia could be transferred to Deutsche Bahn for 10 years.
