OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2007.  J. Batra, president of the International Union of Railways (Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer – UIC), announced that Russian Railways would become member of UIC’s European Regional Assembly, making the Company the first to take part in two regional assemblies.

Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways, gave details on the development of the international transport corridors which pass through Russia.

“Tomorrow the final negotiations between the railway companies of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan will be held and we will sign the final agreement to build a new line between Kazvin, Resht and Astara. This section will allow the final completion of the North-South International Transport Corridor, the shortest route between the countries of the Baltic Sea and the Persian Gulf and on to India,” said Yakunin.

Yakunin also said that the Company was interested in implementing a project to create a Northern “East-West” Transport Corridor from North America Eastern seaboard, starting from Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, and then on to Norway, Finland, Russia, Central Asia and China. This, the so-called N.E.W project, will allow Russia to exploit its large economic and transport potential.