Ukraine and Moldova need to separate the roles of infrastructure manager (IM) and railway undertaking (RU) to be integrated into European railways. It seems that Moldova might achieve this by the end of 2024, as Harry Karandeinos from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) mentioned during the RailFreight Summit ‘24.
Karandeinos, Principal Sustainable Transport Specialist at EBRD, also pointed out that Ukraine was ready to do the same just before the Russian invasion. However, current circumstances forced the country to change its priorities with the initiative being sidelined until the situation is resolved.
One of many steps
Having one entity carrying out the tasks of both IM and RU is in contrast with the European Model of Rails as it might distort fair competition. In Ukraine and Moldova respectively, Ukrzaliznytsia and Calea Ferată din Moldova carry out both roles. Adopting this policy, however, is just one step toward the integration of Ukraine and Moldova into European railways.
For the latter, the main issues remain electrification and size. The entire railway network in Moldova is not electrified and it is significantly less extensive than the one in Ukraine. Moreover, the current plan for extending the TEN-T network to Moldova envisions only one line crossing the country from Ungheni to Chisinau and eventually to the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
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