Cooperation strategies and development prospects for the Eurasian transport system outlined

The VI International Rail Business Forum “1520 Strategic Partnership” took place in Sochi. Business Dialogue hosted the event, with Russian Railways as General Partner.

The forum, held from 31 May to 2 June 2011, featured an agenda with key avenues for developing international transport corridors by integrating the 1520 and 1435 spaces, along with other priority areas of cooperation, including mechanical engineering, transport services and management system. Among other issues discussed were the development of high-speed train service, major infrastructure projects, railway safety, making the rail sector more environmentally friendly, and many others.  

The forum was attended by over 1,200 delegates from 32 countries, including representatives of Russia’s legislative and executive branches, heads of federal agencies and departments, ministers, State Duma deputies, members of the Federation Council, top officials from the transport ministries of the CIS countries, Baltic states, Europe and Asia. Also in attendance were leading Russian and foreign transportation companies, private railway operators, freight owners, railway equipment and technology manufacturers. They gathered for the two-day event to discuss ways for creating a single transport space within Eurasia.

Top Russian officials sent their greetings to the forum participants, including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Transport Minister Igor Levitin and Sergei Shishkarev, Chairman of the State Duma Transport Committee.

Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin said that the forum is particularly crucial for building long-term partnership relations between European and Asian countries. The business environment has changed significantly over the past year, with the economy recovering from the downturn of recent years. Therefore, it is necessary not just to return to the pre-economic crisis level as soon as possible, but also to reach a new level of development while considering strategic goals and our managing experience during an economic crisis.  

Mr Yakunin stressed that the forum delegates should try and boost the 1520 space’s efficiency by drawing promising projects and developing a common strategy for cooperating and systematising technical regulations. The top priority now is to coordinate the introduction of a new transport and logistics system for both gauge formats, removing obstacles hindering the development of freight and passenger transport. 

Eleven contracts were signed during the forum. Some twenty sessions were held in different formats for participants to discuss urgent issues and problems in developing the railway industry, infrastructure and cooperation with foreign partners.  

Thanks to intensive cooperation, companies within the 1520 and 1435 spaces can jointly implement their modernisation strategy, noted Hans-Jörg Grundmann, CEO of the Mobility Division and Vice President of Siemens. “Effectively sharing experience and understanding the specific steps in implementing this strategy will boost the strategic partnership between the countries involved,” he believes.  

For his part, Deutsche Bahn CEO Dr Rüdiger Grube said that “the success and the future of the transport sector largely depend on the role to be played by the 1435 and 1520 railways in international trade flows, taken together.” 

In his closing remarks, Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin said that integrating Russian and European railways has entered the technological implementation stage.

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