Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, EU USA consolidate efforts to modernize strategic corridors in Danube region

Chisinau, 13 January /MOLDPRES/ - The high-level ministerial meeting in the QUINT format in Chisinau today brought together representatives of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, USA and EU, in order to discuss the common priorities in the development of the transport infrastructure and strategic corridors which connect the Danube region.  

At a summing-up news conference, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Vladimir Bolea stressed the importance of the regional cooperation, in order to connect the transport infrastructure and ensure the flow of goods. ‘’Moldova stays firmly committed in the efforts of modernization of the strategic transport corridors. We focus on the modernization of the strategic corridors which connect Moldova with Romania, European Union and Ukraine, in order to thus contribute to a deeper integration into the European transport networks,’’ the minister said.     

Vladimir Bolea stressed the crucial role which Moldova’s infrastructure can play in the process of the future recovery of Ukraine. ‘’The ports from Giurgiulesti, the roads and railways can become essential ways for the transport construction materials, contributing to the region’s economic and social improvement,’’ the infrastructure minister also said.    

At the meeting, Director General at the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) Magda Kopczyńska urged to maintain this QUINT format for the implementation of new infrastructure projects, which are to support the sustainable development of Danube.  

For his part, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien highlighted the impact of the cooperation. ‘’The QUINT format is one of the most efficient working groups. The partnership between Moldova, Romania and Ukraine works and the lessons learned from the implementation of the joint initiatives are obvious. For example, the implementation of the joint control at the borders significantly contributed to the enhancement of the transport capacity, proving concrete results of our cooperation. Although we see attempts of destabilization on behalf of Russia through misinformation and threats in the energy sector, this partnership stays solid,’’ James O’Brien said.   

Also, Romania’s Transports and Infrastructure Minister Sorin Grindeanu emphasized the strategic role of Romania in backing Ukraine. ‘’Since the beginning of the war, the overall quantities of goods exported from Ukraine through Romania, by using the Sulina Channel and Constanta Port, accounted for about 49 per cent of all Ukrainian exports, confirming the importance of the Danube corridor. Our investments in the infrastructure continue and tomorrow we will start a new project which will ensure the use of ports at the maximal capacity. These efforts show our solidarity before the challenges,’’ Sorin Grindeanu said.   

Deputy Minister of Communications, Territories and Infrastructure from Ukraine Serhiy Derkach describes this meeting as extremely important for Ukraine, as well as for other countries of the region, taking into account the need to maintain the transport of goods from Ukraine to 40 other countries, and ensuring the food stability globally.

Among the recent achievements highlighted at the event, there are the implementation of the joint control at the borders with Ukraine and the signing of the agreements on coordinated control with Romania – initiatives which significantly contribute to facilitating the transport and commerce in the region. In the context, the participants in the meeting brought for discussion the extension of the coordinated control in both directions in Galati-Giurgiulesti.

The meeting ended with a common commitment to speed up the infrastructure projects in the Danube region, in order to back the recovery of Ukraine and create a stable and prosperous environment for all countries involved.