The project Support to the Integration of Ukraine in the Trans-European Transport Network, TEN-T (the “TEN-T project”) is a partnership project between the Government of Ukraine and the European Union, represented in Ukraine by the Delegation of European Commission in Kyiv.
The TEN-T project team are working with the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Ukraine (MTCU). Specialists from both the EU and Ukraine and will jointly develop a strategy and action plan to forge stronger links between Ukraine and the European Union’s transport system. Many aspects of transport in Ukraine will be included in this strategy and plan.
Measures to improve the efficiency and the safety of road transport will be proposed in the plan, together with a recommended investment programme for road, rail, port and air transport infrastructure improvements.
The project will provide assistance to the MTCU in identifying areas where closer harmonisation of transport policies and practices could be included in Ukraine’s reform process. A more favourable investment climate and positive effects on trade and on passenger transport services are expected to result. Stronger links with the EU transport network will also have the benefit of improving Ukraine’s transit transport potential.
The project is complementary to the “twinning” projects that also support MTCU. These provide officials from transport ministries seconded from EU countries to give expert advice to MTCU on aspects of transport policy and safety. TEN-T’s remit extends to the transport industry and the service providers to understand their concerns and ensure they are able to work progressively towards EU harmonisation, in accordance with the legislative programme being prepared by MTCU.
The project will help to reinforce capacity of the Ministry and coordinate and promote a wide range of transport modernisation issues that cover such areas as multimodal transport, cross-border transit arrangements and the all-important area of logistics.
This will lead to a list of identified investment projects selected in order of their importance to the economy of Ukraine. This will become more important as the world economy recovers and international financing agencies and others are able to increase their investment in Ukraine. The most important projects for the further strengthening of Ukraine’s European links in every transport mode will be identified.
The project will continue until the end of 2010. Its start in 2008 coincided with the deterioration in the world economy and the consequent decline in international trade. We have responded by advising MTCU on measures for an immediate Action Plan to minimise the impact of the recession. This work will continue. In addition we have contributed to an updated transport policy statement being prepared by MTCU. This will help clarify the future direction of strategy and the tactics to be used in order to achieve the key transport objectives set by the government.
Further work will include the development of a range of transport sector planning scenarios based on estimated future transport demand and traffic forecasts for the medium and long-term, once recurrent recession has passed.
One of the most important areas is to ensure that Ukraine has well trained people in the right positions in every transport mode. We have helped MTCU establish a system to identify training needs. A subsequent step will involve training in Ukraine and site visits to see how some EU countries manage specific transport activities.
The TEN-T project will continue to participate in the development of national transport policy. Once this is defined we will assist developing the sub-sector strategies and reforms for rail, road infrastructure and road transport, maritime and inland water transport as well as for the civil aviation sector. The result will be a cohesive plan for the development of multimodal transport that can offer users the choice of the best mode for any given requirement, for passengers or for the freight.
In this way a modern system can be developed in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner, fully integrated into the European transport system, competitive and able to serve the needs of the customers in Ukraine and its neighbours for mutual economics and social benefit in the years ahead.
The project office is in Kyiv at Peremohy avenue, 57, office 1312. Any questions or suggestions for the team should be addressed to Les Cheesman.
Phone: +38 044 201 0867
Comment
Print 
For authorized users only!