Russia and Finland plan to develop Trans-Siberian railroad

First Deputy Communications Minister Vadim Morozov will conduct a presentation entitled 'Trans-Siberian railroad in the 21st century: perspectives for development of Russo-Finnish cooperation in the area of railroad traffic' during his work visit to Helsinki on May 21. According to the Ministry's press service, the presentation is a joint initiative of the Communications Ministry and Finnish railroad company VR Group Ltd.. During his visit to Helsinki, Morozov will meet with VR Group Ltd. General Director Henri Kuytunen and VR Cargo Director Ilkka Seppyanen.

Building of the Trans-Siberian railroad began in 1891, and linked the Far East with Siberia and European Russia. The Trans-Siberian stretches 9288 kilometres from Moscow to Vladivostok and is the longest railroad in the world crossing almost all of Eurasia. The Ministry completed the electrification of the Trans-Siberian at the end of 2002. The total volume of export and import container traffic on the Trans-Siberian railroad in 2003 will increase by 15% in comparison with 2002, and the entire volume of traffic for 2003 will increase by at least 50% according to the Communications Ministry.