Cooperation with CIS and Baltic States within the 1520 Domain
A milestone event in the Company’s international activities in 2014 was the signing of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Treaty by the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan on May 29th and the subsequent accession of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to the Treaty.
The biggest project to develop transportation within in the EAEU, which is in current practical implementation, is the establishment of United Transportation and Logistics Company (UTLC) by the railway enterprises of the Common Economic Space member states.
The Council for Rail Transport of CIS States continued its work in 2014 with the priority objectives including ensuring the reliability and stability of interstate transportation and economic ties.
The International Rail Business Forum 1520 Strategic Partnership also made a significant contribution to promoting the Company’s integrated initiatives within the ‘1520 Domain’. Thirteen agreements worth more than RUB 140 bln were signed at the forum in 2014.
The work on reconstruction and development of railway infrastructure of Armenia was carried out in full compliance with the concession agreement. The ceremonial commissioning of the facilities of the Sanain station took place on June 18th 2014.
Cooperation with Asia-Pacific Region countries
On May 20th 2014, Russian Railways and China Railway Corporation signed a strategic partnership agreement that provides for the development of railway infrastructure and increased transportation volume between the two countries. The signing took place during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to China.
The Company established relations with its Chinese partners as part of efforts to promote the establishment of the Eurasian High-Speed Transportation Corridor from Moscow to Beijing. In October, the Russian Ministry of Transportation, Russian Railways, the Chinese State Committee on the Development and Reform and China Railway Corporation signed a memorandum on cooperation in high-speed railway transportation.
Shipments of coal and ore from Russia to regions of Northeast Asia and China began on a regular basis in 2014 via the Makhalino-Hunchun railway border crossing.
The Mongolian Ministry of Roads and Transportation and Russian Railways signed a strategic partnership agreement in September 2014 on the modernisation and development of JSC Ulan-Bator Railways as part of obligations under a trust agreement to manage the shares of JSC Ulan-Bator Railways.
The Company also devoted significant attention to establishing a constructive dialogue with Japanese businessmen on the development of cooperation in railway transportation.
A new transshipment terminal was commissioned in July 2014 at the Rajin port (DPRK) and regular freight transit shipments began via the DPRK with transshipment at the Rajin port.
Russian Railways’ interaction with international organisations
In 2014, the Russian Railways Group attained a new level of relations with international governmental and non-governmental organisations as part of the promotion of Russian interests on the international railway services market.
The Company made significant progress in improving and establishing a new regulatory legal framework for international railway transportation and creating a single legal framework on the Eurasian space.
During the 29th meeting of the Conference of General Directors of the Organisation for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD) in April 2014, a number of key resolutions were adopted concerning the draft Convention on Direct International Railway Transportation and appendices to the convention were approved.
Comprehensive amendments and additions to the Agreement on International Goods Transport by Rail (SMGS) and procedural instructions for the Agreement were approved at a session of the OSJD Ministerial Meeting in June 2014.
The Company made practical steps to implement the OSJD Programme of Activities. The term of the Russian Railways president as OSJD chairman was extended by another two years (2015–2016) by the unanimous decision of the General Assembly.
Russian Railways Group’s cooperation with European partners
Russian Railways along with the railway administrations and transportation agencies of Austria, Slovakia and Ukraine continued to promote a project to build a new Eurasian transportation corridor during the reporting year.
