Press Releases

Train “Viking” offers new opportunities for the Baltic and Black sea regions

Tuesday, November 22, Kiev - President Dalia Grybauskaitė, currently on a working visit in Ukraine, attended a session of the Council of Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine and discussed with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych the bilateral economic cooperation and the ways in which to enhance the effectiveness of the shuttle train "Viking" connecting the Baltic and Black sea regions.

During the visit, the presidents signed the bilateral memorandum on effective functioning of the train. The acceleration of customs procedures, the agreement on application of special tariffs in all Ukrainian railway stations where containers can be serviced, and the review of port tariffs - if these goals are achieved - will open new opportunities in cargo carriage for the Black sea region as a whole.

"Lithuania becomes a global link between East and West. The shuttle train reaching Odessa in 56 hours or China in 10 days means a new era in cargo carriage. "Viking" not only brings real economic benefits to Lithuania and Ukraine, but also opens new opportunities for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

Cooperation in agriculture, education and science was also in the focus of the meeting. The session of the Council of Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine was followed by the signing of the protocol. The agenda of the visit also included the signing of the agreement on cooperation in research and technologies and of the plan for consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

Press Service of the President