In connection with the switchover by the Iasi-Chisinau railway line to European gauge, a European track gauge will be laid from Chisinau to Odessa, IPN reports, quoting Dumskaya.net, which said the existing 1520mm network will be supplemented with a European-standard 1435mm gauge.

The announcement was made by the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. He made reference to the study by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, which says the European track gauge on lines to Lviv and Chisinau, with extension to Odessa, should be deployed as a first step to improving connections between Poland and Ukraine, and between Romania and Moldova, about which IPN reported.

The study authors said the Basarabeasca – Giurgiulești section is the next one that can modernized according to the European standards.

According to the Europeans, the switchover to narrower gauge is not enough to ensure integration into the EU’s railway system. Additional measures need to be taken, such as the harmonization of the railway legislation with the EU’s legal framework; development of a new backbone 1435mm gauge network, to be operated in conjunction with the existing 1520mm network; modernization and development of new depots, stations and transshipment facilities, intermodal logistic centers/terminals.

An agreement that was signed recently in Chisinau enables the Republic of Moldova to more efficiently access European funds, including for transport infrastructure.

In a news conference held on this occasion by Prime Minister Dorin Recean together with EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, the latter said that when the signed agreement is ratified, the Republic of Moldova will become the first non-EU state with access to the Connecting Europe Facility and will be able to access funds for transport, energy and digital infrastructure, alongside the EU member states.