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European Union receives Vienna Declaration of Railway Carriers in support of Ukraine: Here's all you need to know

European Union receives Vienna Declaration of Railway Carriers in support of Ukraine: Here's all you need to know
photo: Archive/European Union receives Vienna Declaration of Railway Carriers in support of Ukraine: Here's all you need to know
10 / 08 / 2022

The Vienna Declaration, which was drafted at the CEO Summit 2022 event in Vienna in July, has been delivered to the main bodies of the European Union. Representatives of the Czechoslovak railway scene were among its signatories.

The main bodies of the European Union, i.e. the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, received the so-called Vienna Declaration. It was created at the CEO Summit 2022 event organised this July by the Austrian national carrier ÖBB, where the heads of leading European carriers met. The declaration aims to support Ukraine or, rather, Ukrainian railways.

Its content is quite clear - it is an appeal to the European Union to work to rebuild the Ukrainian railway, which has been hit by Russian aggression. It emphasises European values such as unity, solidarity, equality, democracy and freedom. It also mentions the fact that Ukrainian railway workers are exposed to high pressure and danger daily, as they have to secure supplies in Ukraine and provide a route for refugees from war-affected areas. A vital point for European carriers is the need to help ensure that Ukraine has a functioning rail network, as it will greatly assist post-war reconstruction. And they condemn Putin's aggression.

There are two objectives set out in the declaration. The first is a commitment to supply technical equipment and spare parts for the railways and to support the reconstruction of the Ukrainian railways by transferring know-how. The second is a call on the European Union to ensure that the proposed 'Rebuild Ukraine' project includes assistance for the infrastructure reconstruction in Ukraine, particularly railways.
It is a clear signal from the European rail operators that they are behind Ukraine and are interested in helping it. Indeed, a strong rail infrastructure could then become the driving force behind Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and possibly its future economic growth once it has stabilised. It now depends on the response of the European Union. However, it is also pleasing that representatives of the Czechoslovak railway transport scene have also joined the declaration. Namely ZSSK (Karol Martinček), ZSSK CARGO (Roman Gono), České dráhy (Michal Krapinec) and ŽSR (Milan Kubiček). The declaration thus far has 32 signatures and proves European unity.

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