The Road to Recovery international conference was held in Kosice (Slovakia) on 26 May, with the participation of representatives of the European Parliament and the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine.
The participants in the conference discussed the laying of European-gauge railway tracks from Chop to Uzhhorod and further to Slovakia, the CFTS portal reports.
The Uzhhorod City Council’s Secretary Arsen Melkumyan was one of the speakers during the panel discussion on "Involving Local Authorities in the Development and Implementation of the Recovery Plan: Lessons Learned." He presented proposals for the establishment of direct rail links between Uzhhorod and its Slovak neighbors.
"I bring an idea to your attention for subsequent discussion at the highest international level. It could be beneficial to Ukraine, Slovakia, and other European countries if implemented. It is about the possibility of linking Ukrainian and European railways in the Zakarpattia region. It is possible to lay a narrow-gauge railway section from the city of Chop to Uzhhorod (almost 20 km) and then 15 km to Matovske (Slovakia)," Melkumyan said.
According to him, Slovakia and other countries will be able to receive goods from Romania, including from the port, through a route that is much shorter than the current route if this proposal is implemented. Ukraine will be able to optimize passenger transportation thanks to a direct railway link and, accordingly, the burden on the Ukrainian-Slovak border will decrease. In addition, the volume of freight transportation by road in Ukraine and Slovakia will reduce generally, and the humanitarian aid that the European community provides to Ukraine will be able to arrive via a direct rail link.
