Ukrainian and Moldovan railway operators to boost traffic, broaden cooperation

MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) and Moldova's Calea Ferata din Moldova (CFM) railway operator agreed at their delegations' meeting on February 10 to enhance cooperation within the next three years to boost cargo traffic and to involve Ukrainian specialists in repairing and restoring Moldova's railroad infrastructure.

"Moldovan Railways has become an even more important partner for us since the start of the crisis. We are eager to further deepen relations and cooperation between our railroads," Ukrainian media said, citing Ukrzaliznytsia head Alexander Kamyshin's statement, which was circulated via a press release on Monday.

As many as 397,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain have been exported by rail via crossings on the border with Moldova since February 24, 2022, and 363,600 tonnes of petroleum products have been imported, it said. On the whole, exports by rail across the border with Moldova have grown 1.5-fold to 1.24 million tonnes, while imports have tripled to 492,000 tonnes.

In addition, Ukrainian passenger trains resumed operations on the Kiev-Chisinau international route in early November 2022 after a 24-year absence, thus enabling tour operators to again send Ukrainian tourists along this route.

In 2022, Ukrainian railroad workers helped rebuild infrastructure at the Berezine-Basarabeasca rail section in Moldovan territory, which had not operated for 25 years, CFM Director Oleg Tofilat said.

"The work was accomplished within a record short period of time - a little more than a month. Therefore, we plan to continue hiring Ukrainian specialists to repair the country's railway infrastructure. It will help increase trains' safety and speed," Tofilat said.