Odessa, 17 SEPTEMBER 2016, CONTEXT-Prichernomorie — Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladimir Omelyan said that during the visit of the delegation of the Ministry signed an agreement in Batumi on the organization of direct international railway traffic through the ports of Ukraine and Georgia, the correspondent of IA «Context-Prichernomorie» reports.

As reported to the Agency today, on September 17, the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure, this V. Omelyan said at a briefing following the visit.

Commenting on the visit to Batumi, the Minister said: «Our objective is to make maximum use of the transit potential of Ukraine. In Georgia, we have signed an Agreement on organization of direct international railway traffic through the ports of Ukraine and Georgia, which is an important step, given the development of the New Silk Road. A similar draft agreement we are currently developing with the Bulgarian side».

Commenting on the results of bilateral meetings, V. Omelyan said that during the meeting with First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia Dimitri Kusmishvilli was suggested to establish a joint venture between the Ukrainian and Georgian Railways.

«We have agreed on two key things. Firstly, the idea of co-expressed, and it is already supported by the Ministry of Railways, to establish a joint venture between the Ukrainian Railways and the Railways of Georgia. Already sent an appeal to the Chinese side and other private partners to ferry between the port of Ilyichevsk and Georgia. We believe that this will bring stability in the ferry market, will create the right competitive conditions and will remove any abuse of pricing. Secondly, raised the issue of reducing port charges in the first place, according to ferry», said Minister.