JASPERS exploring possible connection of Ukrainian, Moldovan railway networks to EU

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - The European Commission jointly with the European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching a pre-feasibility study to assess how best to connect the Ukrainian and Moldovan railway networks to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

According to Ukrainian media reports citing the EIB website, the rail gauge used in most European Union countries differs from the gauge in Eastern Europe, making it difficult to ship goods in both directions.

"This could be solved by extending the EU railway gauge across the borders from Poland and Romania into Ukraine and Moldova. Today's study is a key step in preparing for better EU-Ukraine and Moldova connectivity after the war. The EIB technical advisory service JASPERS is in charge of completing the study by May 2023, in close cooperation with all countries concerned," the bank said.

"The EIB study on integration of Ukrainian and Moldovan railway networks with the EU is the first step towards a modern transport link between the EU, Moldova and Ukraine," EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwinska, who is responsible for operations in Ukraine and Moldova, said.

As reported, in July 2022, the European Commission announced amendments to its proposal for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) to extend four EU transport corridors into Ukraine and Moldova.

TEN-T is a 2014 EU transport policy strategy aimed at connecting the EU and its European partners from the West to the East and from the North to the South with a network of highways, railroads, airports and water infrastructures.