Business news

MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) – Belarusian Railways and Lithuanian Railways are holding talks in Vilnius on 26-27 February, BelTA learned from the press service of Belarusian Railways.

“Top on the agenda of the talks is the project to launch high-speed passenger service between Minsk and Vilnius, electrification of the railway section Molodechno-Gudogai-state border-Kena- Naujoji Vilnia, and Belarusian Railways’ possible participation in infrastructure projects of Lithuanian Railways,” the press service informed.

The implementation of the project to organize high-speed passenger service between Minsk and Vilnius was launched in 2010. The first stage of the project was implemented in 2011, which allowed reducing journey time between the two capitals from four to three hours. The second stage cut the journey time to two and a half hours as from 1 June 2013. The third stage of the program is underway.

During the two-day meeting the heads of the railway services of the two countries are set to discuss cargo transportation by container trains (including the combined train Viking) and the cargo traffic at interstate division points of Belarusian Railways and Lithuanian Railways.

The partners are expected to discuss topical cooperation issues between the railway administrations of Belarus and Lithuania. They will review the work on cargo and passenger transportation in 2014 and outline prospects for 2015.

Lithuanian Railways is a key partner of Belarusian Railways in international cargo transportation. Lithuania offers Belarus optimal transportation and logistics schemes to deliver export and import goods (including fertilizers, oil products and ferrous metals) to the port of Klaipeda. Efforts to attract cargo flows in the direction of Kaliningrad are also top on the agenda.