The railways of Poland and Ukraine have joined forces to raise the bar for efficiency in passenger and freight rail transportation between the two countries and increase international trade.

The agreement between Ukrzaliznytsia and Polskie Koleje Państwowe was signed on August 28. This is a significant step for both parties as it is the first document of this level signed since 1994.

Yevhen Lyashchenko, Chairman of Ukrzaliznytsia, emphasized the importance of this agreement and said: "We are taking another important step towards strengthening the partnership and developing rail transportation between Ukraine and Poland. Together we will continue to develop the border infrastructure and increase passenger and freight traffic between our countries, which will ultimately have a positive effect on our railways and the national economies of Ukraine and Poland."

According to the agreement, Polskie Koleje Państwowe will consider the possibility of concluding separate agreements with Ukrzaliznytsia in the field of railway infrastructure management, freight and passenger rail transportation.

By establishing joint working groups, the parties plan to develop individual projects and ensure safe and uninterrupted transportation of passengers and cargo.

The agreement also stipulates that the transshipment of goods to wagons of a different gauge or the rearrangement of wagons can be carried out at the border stations of both countries, subject to prior agreement.

Locomotive traction for freight trains between the border stations will be provided by locomotives and locomotive crews from Ukrzaliznytsia and Polskie Koleje Państwowe with a 50/50 parity.

This agreement is a step forward in cooperation between Poland and Ukraine in the field of rail transportation, which will further develop trade and cooperation between the two countries.

It should also be noted that in June, the European Union provided grant financial support to expand the railway infrastructure of Ukraine's border crossings with Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. This will help to improve communication and efficiency of transportation between the countries, in particular at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk and Mostyska II-Medyka border crossings.