Russian Railways (RZD) and the Transport Ministry of the country sealed an understanding memorandum with German Siemens and Deutsсhe Bahn (DB) to cooperate in high-speed railway service. The experts say Siemens and DB may soon join the RZD project of high-speed railway, which is being revived.

The understanding memorandum that Russia’s RZD and Transport Ministry, on the one hand, and German Siemens and Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, sealed yesterday during the St. Petersburg forum spells out the parties’ intention to cooperate in developing high-speed railway communication and to coordinate efforts targeted at creating and developing the infrastructure of high-speed railways.

The actual priority is the 50/50 project of Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway. For this purpose, the parties have agreed to exchange information, hold negotiations and consultations. The memorandum sets forth no commitments for the parties, including financial liabilities. It is rather declarative, backed up by no definite agreements.

Its purpose could be only to fuel the talks of RZD and Siemens about making a service maintenance contract for Velaro RUS, which RZD is buying, said a source with the company.

But the analysts and the bureaucrats insist the yesterday’s memorandum could be regarded as the first move to lure German companies into the infrastructural projects in Russia.

Source: Kommersant.com

Tags See All Tags Add New Tag...

Please Enter New Tags Separated By Comma's
  Or Close

Europe  Germany  International agreement  RZD  Russia  Russian Railways