OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2014. Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, took part in a session of the XVIII Annual Roundtable with the Government of Greece in the country's capital Athens.

The Round Table was organised by The Economist magazine from the UK.

Speaking during the section "The International Investors Have The Floor," the President of Russian Railways identified a number of key conditions with which compliance is necessary for the further development of the transport system in Greece, including the participation of the Russian side.

According to Vladimir Yakunin, it is necessary to approve and provide stakeholders with plans for the modernisation and construction of railway infrastructure in Greece. This requires ensuring that the railway infrastructure corresponds to European standards, as well as its high-quality repair and maintenance. It is also very important to identify the mechanisms and timing of relief on the debt formed prior to privatisation.

"It is necessary to provide long-term guarantees regarding the transparency and stability of the basic economic parameters: tariffs, taxes, concession conditions and leasing rates," said Vladimir Yakunin. "In addition, we also have to create the conditions to attract investment in freight terminals and stations on the basis of investment and concession agreements."

Russian Railways has unique experience in developing rail links to seaports and organising cooperation with stevedoring and transportation companies, which can be useful to Greece's transportation system.

At present, Russian Railways is taking part in the tender procedures for the privatisation of Greek transport assets: Thessaloniki port, the TRAINOSE railway company and a company for the repair and maintenance of ROSCO's rolling stock.