EU Integration: Memorandum Signed with the European Railway Agency.

The Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure has signed a Memorandum with the European Railway Agency (ERA), which provides for cooperation in the field of technical harmonization of the railway systems of the European Union and Ukraine.

According to the ministry, the agreements include expert and technical support for the Ministry in the matter of Ukraine's accession to the single European railway area. Both parties have committed to work towards harmonizing standards and regulatory acts in the field of railway transport safety and interoperability (operational compatibility) of railways.

The Memorandum also provides for the creation of a steering committee that will define priorities and phased plans for achieving the parties' common goals.

"The development of the Ukrainian railway is one of the prerequisites for full transport integration into the European Union. In fact, the European integration of the Ukrainian railway is one of the largest blocks of Ukraine's transport Euro-integration. I am convinced that with the support of ERA, we will be able to work together to adapt the Ukrainian railway to European standards, both physically and in terms of regulatory governance," emphasized Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Serhiy Derkach.

According to the Executive Director of the European Railway Agency, Josef Doppelbauer, ERA is proud to continue its fruitful cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities and bring it to a new level.

"In the past, we have already made significant progress on strategic issues of establishing vital transport links between Ukraine and the EU in times of crisis, strengthening 'Solidarity Lanes,' technical recovery issues, TEN-T projects, and many others. The efforts of the Ukrainian railway in wartime are nothing short of heroism and inspiration for all of us here in the European Union. By the way, we have much to learn from our Ukrainian friends when it comes to the allocation of freight by types of transport, as they transport more than 50% of the total volume of rail transport," he stated.