Ukrainian and Lithuanian railroad operators agree to integrate together into the European network

VILNIUS. May 10 (Interfax) - Lithuanian Railways (Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai, or LTG) and the Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia will cooperate in the implementation of the Free Rail program initiated by LTG, the Lithuanian company said in a statement.

The Free Rail program, designed for the period up to 2030, is aimed at integrating business ties and technologies, including in the IT sphere, with Europe. The companies signed a corresponding memorandum on May 9 in Munich.

According to Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG, when implementing the Free Rail program, the company invites railway operators from other countries in the Baltic region to join it.

"This long-term program (...) will ensure the full integration of the region with Europe and will solve a variety of issues - from legal issues and business sustainability standards to technical compatibility or appropriate IT solutions," Lazauskas said.

Vyacheslav Eremin, a member of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia, believes that the formation of a new business model will strengthen Ukraine's economic ties with Europe.

The Free Rail plan provides for the development and implementation of a model of railway operation adapted to the Baltic region, based on EU standards and taking into account the characteristics of the broad gauge used in Lithuania, Ukraine and the other countries of the former USSR. LTG plans to be fully integrated into the Western European transport system by 2030.