Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Port, Railways, Transport

During the meeting with the Romania's Prime Minister, Butkevicius discussed the course and the results of the Lithuania's Presidency of the European Union (EU) Council. Moreover, the prime ministers discussed the cooperation in the transport sector. Butkevicius invited the Romania to actively involve in the container train project Viking.

"Container train Viking and the non-freezing Klaipeda Seaport could become the gates of the Romania's export to the Nordic European countries – it is safe, fast and cheap. We hope that Romania will make up its mind to become the full member of the container train project Viking," said Butkevicius.

Romania signed a memorandum of cooperation at the end of February and is going to complete the remaining formal procedures soon. The Viking route is 1,734 kilometres long and takes 52 hours.

The combined train Viking is a joint project of Lithuanian, Belarusian and Ukrainian railways, seaport cargo companies, and Klaipeda, Ilyitchovsk and Odessa seaports.

The train carries 20 and 40-foot containers as well as semitrailers and trailer-trains (contrailers). They are sent to Klaipeda port by sea transport from Scandinavia and Western Europe as well as via Mukran-Klaipeda ferry-line, and then carry on to Ukraine, Belarus, the near east, and Caucasus via Ilyitchovsk and Odessa sea ports.

"Lithuania could suggest high-quality milk products such as the milk powders, the dry whey and the various ferment cheese for China's market. Moreover, we are interested in the opportunities of the exports of the meat products, the fish products, the confection, the corny squashes as well as drinks into China," said Butkevicius.