Following intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Serhii Derkach announced that an agreement has been reached to launch a European-gauge rail line to Uzhhorod by 2025-2026, expand the Uzhhorod - Vyšné Nemecké border crossing, and use the Pavlovo - Maťovce border crossing as a passenger border crossing, the CFTS portal reports.
"We held a sectoral meeting focused on border development. The focus was on both road and rail links. At the end of the year, we plan to link Kyiv with major Slovak cities—Bratislava and Košice. A convenient transfer in Chop will make the rail link possible," Derkach said.
According to him, construction of a narrow-gauge railway to Uzhhorod is underway. This will make it possible to provide passenger service from Bratislava-Chop to Uzhhorod.
This line will be included in the train timetable for 2025-2026.
"There are also plans to develop the Pavlovo - Maťovce border crossing, which currently handles freight. We have agreed to amend the relevant agreement to allow its use as a passenger border crossing," he said.
In addition, the parties are finalizing the text of an Agreement on Joint Customs and Border Control. "The draft agreement is currently with the Slovak side, and we expect it to be submitted to the European Commission for review shortly," Derkach said.
The parties also agreed to expand the Uzhhorod - Vyšné Nemecké border crossing for pedestrians.
"Simultaneously, we are working on the modernization of the checkpoint. On our side, we are reconstructing the existing passenger terminal and building a new one. We are separating cargo and passenger traffic. This will allow us to increase the throughput capacity. We are also working to increase the cargo capacity at the Malyi Berezny - Ubľa border crossing. Our goal is to allow trucks of up to 5 tons to pass through," the deputy minister said.
The Slovak side is currently studying this possibility. This will help ease traffic at the Uzhhorod border crossing.