Moldovan deputy PM visits Brussels: railway modernization, EU transport cooperation discussed with European officials

The modernization of Moldova’s railway sector and its alignment with European standards are at the center of discussions in Brussels held by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea. The official is on a working visit to the European Commission, where he has a string of meetings dedicated to the development of transport and the strengthening of cooperation between Moldova and the European Union.

"The sides addressed subjects concerning the modernization of the railway sector and its alignment with European standards. The dialogue included the reform of the state enterprise Moldovan Railways, cooperation on technical assistance within the Transport Community Treaty, as well as the status of the project to modernize the Ungheni–Chișinău railway line," reads a press release by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR).

The MIDR delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, also discussed with European experts and representatives of Romania the implementation of coordinated controls at the Moldovan–Romanian border. The initiative aims to optimize transport flows and reduce waiting times at border crossing points.

The agenda of the visit also included a meeting with Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, during which the prospects for cooperation between Moldova and the European Union in the field of infrastructure and regional development were discussed.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Bolea had talks with Director-General of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), Themis Christophidou, on opportunities for cooperation on regional development projects and the modernization of infrastructure locally.

The working visit to Brussels will continue in the coming days, when the Moldovan delegation will participate in the regional QUAD meeting (Moldova–Romania–Ukraine–European Commission) and in the third round of the High-Level EU–Moldova Transport Dialogue.