Spain to assist Ukraine with railway development project in compliance with EU standards

In cooperation with Spain, the team of the Ukrainian Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Ministry is planning to implement a project on the development of railway routes in Ukraine in compliance with EU standards.

The relevant statement was made by the ministry’s press service, following a meeting with the Spanish delegation led by Spanish Economy, Trade and Business Minister Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“I would like to note that Ukraine, similar to Spain, uses a railway track that has a different width than the European standard gauge. Therefore, we are interested in your assistance with the development of an automatic system to change the track width in motion for trains,” Ukrainian Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Acting Minister Vasyl Shkurakov noted.

In his words, this year Ukraine has launched the construction of a European gauge track (1,435 mm) on the Chop-Lviv route, which is part of the upgraded TEN-T Mediterranean corridor.

This project will be one of the first steps towards the European integration of the transport systems of Ukraine and Moldova, and the development of TEN-T on Ukraine’s territory.

In the course of the meeting, Cuerpo mentioned that cooperation with Ukraine was promising and, considering the Spanish experience, it would be beneficial to both countries.

According to Cuerpo, the Spanish side is willing to provide financial support for railway development, and has corresponding companies, experience and ready-made solutions.

The parties also discussed the attraction of direct investment in Ukraine’s manufacturing industry, the development of Ukrainian sea ports, patronage over Ukrainian cities and regions, energy needs, and the establishment of direct ties between the businesses of the two countries.

Photo: Ukrainian Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Ministry