The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched a pre-feasibility study for the extension of the 1435-millimeter-gauge railway network to Ukraine and Moldova.
The European Commission described the launch of the pre- feasibility study as “a key step in preparing for better EU–Ukraine and Moldova connectivity after the war," the CFTS portal reports, citing the Railfreight publication.
"Today, the European Commission, together with the European Investment Bank (EIB), is launching a pre- feasibility study to assess how to better connect the Ukrainian and Moldovan railway networks with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)," the EIB said in a statement on 21 October.
According to the statement, the EIB technical advisory service JASPERS is in charge of completing the study by May 2023, in close cooperation with all the countries concerned.
"The EIB study on integration of Ukrainian and Moldovan railway networks with the EU is the first step towards a modern transport link between the EU, Moldova, and Ukraine," said EIB Vice President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for operations in Ukraine and Moldova. "It is a strategic investment for sustainable, green economic growth, which also improves global food security. Integration of railroad networks will allow for easier and safer movement of people, goods and services between the three markets, and faster integration of the two countries with the EU. Finally, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of Ukrainian ports, which induced a global food crisis of unprecedented scale, these new transport links will create a reliable alternative for food supply which will benefit the whole world."
As reported previously, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) plans amendments to a TEN-T proposal to extend four corridors to Ukraine and Moldova.
