OREANDA-NEWS. February 07, 2014. Transport and Road Infrastructure Road Minister Vasile Botnari and his Romanian counterpart Ramona Manescu agreed on more road infrastructure development projects, according to a press release by the Transport and Road Infrastructure Ministry’s press service.

The two ministers identified a set of priority projects in all transport sectors. “Presently, it is necessary to advance in their implementation as quickly as possible, including by accessing European funds," Vasile Botnari said.

Ramona Manescu reconfirmed willingness to speed up projects’ implementation, so that to be possible to include them in the EU financing programme starting from 2015.

The officials agreed to give final touches to an investment project on construction of a road bridge across the Prut river in Ungheni till next May. This will allow connecting the highway Targu Mures – Iasi – Ungheni to the national road Chisinau – Ungheni – Sculeni – border with Romania.

Another project provides for the railways modernisation. "We are interested in accessing European funds, in the long run, in order to build a segment with European gauge and electrify it, as well as to construct a multifunctional logistic centre in Chisinau. Until then, we will arrange the Socola station in Iasi, that will shorten the trip from Ungheni to Iasi by one hour,” Botnari said.

The sides also approached cooperation opportunities in joint investment projects in the river navigation area, including the restoration of Prut river’s navigability.