Ukraine set to open transport corridors thru Baltic countries - Estonian minister

TALLINN. April 21 (Interfax) - Ukraine is set to open new transport corridors through Baltic countries, as Russia is blocking Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs Taavi Aas said in an interview with the ERR broadcaster, speaking of his meetings with Ukrainian specialists.

"There is a wish, but there are also numerous technical problems that need to be tackled so that Ukrainians can transport the necessary amounts of goods," Aas said.

First and foremost, Kyiv is looking for ways to bring grains and metal products to the global market, the minister said. Depending on the kind of goods, it would be possible to use Baltic seaports where the goods could be transported by rail, he said.

The problem of border crossing by rail needs to be solved first, in order to increase the number of trains. Different track widths also constitute a problem, Aas said

"It's high time to launch a regular cargo train among the three Baltic countries, which could carry Ukrainian goods if necessary," the minister said, adding that respective agreements with partners from Latvia and Lithuania should be signed as soon as possible.