Ukraine and Moldova close 150 int'l passenger routes

MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax) - Ukraine and Moldova have together terminated 150 international passenger routes, Ukrainian Deputy Restoration Minister Sergei Derkach said.

"We continue to sort out our international routes. We have carried out verification with Moldova. Together, we have closed 150 routes (we 70, and Moldova 80)," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Derkach as saying on social media following a meeting of the Moldovan-Ukrainian joint road transport commission in Odessa last Friday.

This is thus far the largest number of cross-border routes closed following a verification process, he said. Around 100 routes continue to operate between Ukraine and Moldova.

The participants in the commission's meeting also agreed to amend the procedure for opening new routes. From now on, all details of a route and its package of documents will be first agreed with Moldova and will then be approved by the commission in Ukraine.

"The measure will help prevent transportation on routes that were supposed to be Moldova-bound but actually take place only in Ukraine. It is key to averting illegal shipments," Derkach said.

Routes will be opened for three years and may be extended for periods up to five years, Moldova's Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry said.

Ukraine's Restoration Ministry earlier announced the closure of 280 international bus routes with Moldova. Derkach said in an interview with Ukrainian journalists that all cross-border routes with Russia had been closed. The legitimacy of permits for routes to Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova started to be verified. A total of 140 routes with Poland were closed based on the results of this verification. Derkach expects at least 30% of international passenger routes between Ukraine and other countries to be cancelled.