EU study suggests deploying European gauge track on rail lines to Lvov, Chisinau

MOSCOW. July 12 (Interfax) - A study into ways to enhance the European Union's railway connections with Ukraine and Moldova suggests that it might be feasible to deploy the European track gauge on key lines to those countries, the European Commission said.

Ukrainian media reported that the study was published on Tuesday by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.

"By building the first EU rail gauge in Ukraine and Moldova, linking their railways with Poland and Romania, will bring them closer to the EU single market," European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean said.

The study should lay the groundwork for long-term solutions in supporting Ukraine in its trade and reconstruction, she said.

Enhancing interoperability between Ukrainian, Moldovan, and EU railway systems would also make travel experience more convenient and efficient for Ukrainians and Moldovans traveling to the EU, she said.

The study suggests that the European track gauge on lines to Lvov and Chiṣinau should be deployed "as a first step to improving connections between Poland and Ukraine, and between Romania and Moldova."

The study also explores how new European gauge lines in Ukraine and Moldova would work with the rest of the rail network in those countries, which will continue to use broad gauge, it said.