OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2009. During celebration of 18-year anniversary of Ukrzaliznytsia, a meeting took place between representatives of railways and the Ukrainian government.

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, first deputy transport minister Vasyl Shevchenko and the general director of Ukrainian Railways Mykhailo Kostiuk participated in the meeting. The main discussed issue was development of rail transport in the country by the year 2020.

Сurrently Ukraine needs to repair and modernize its rolling-stock and to create structures of integrated transport, Kostiuk said.

It was agreed, that until 2020 Ukrainian Railways will have to reform the system of tariffs and stop the cross subsidization in passenger as well as in freight transport. The company will also try to attract additional investors in the development field. The international transport system will be integrated in order to attract additional volumes in rail transit.

According to the general director of Ukrzaliznytsia, now it is clear, that further development of rail transport in Ukraine should be provided through a cooperation of state authorities and the market mechanisms.