Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov and Austrian Minister of Transport Norbert Hofer signed a cooperation agreement on the development of the transport sector in both countries. “This is a historic agreement for both countries which has a great importance for the transport system in Eurasia. We will bring the broad gauge to Austria, and, as Vienna is situated at the center of the Silk Way and TEN-T, this is a huge opportunity for the development of our transport systems,” Austrian Minister of Transport said.
“This agreement has a strategic importance for rail transit within Eurasia. The freight flow is growing, and we have to meet future demand,” Sokolov said.
During the event, ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä and Oleg Belozerov, the Chairman of Russian Railways, signed a cooperation agreement on the development of freight and passenger transport. “With our close cooperation, we will make the rail system even more attractive for passenger transport and freight services,” Matthä said at the signing ceremony.
The agreement contains five aspects in which the ÖBB and Russian Railways will cooperate on an intensified basis in the future. These include freight and passenger transport, the development of future-oriented innovative technologies, the promotion of young professionals through joint training and development programmes, and the implementation of common efforts to extend the Russian broad-gauge railway line into Vienna area.
“ÖBB is one of the key partners of Russian Railways in Europe. The agreement signed today creates sufficient basis for strengthening our cooperation to work on joint projects in infrastructure development, passenger and freight transport, innovative technologies and human resources,” Belozerov said, during the ceremony.
Also, within the ceremony, other two cooperation agreements were signed: TransContainer with Rail Cargo Austria AG and United Transport and Logistics Company (UTLC) with Rail Cargo Austria AG.
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