Den Haag – The transport ministers of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France have agreed on an action plan for the development of the Rotterdam-Lyon rail freight corridor. The Ministers are delighted with the progress that has been made. This action plan is the first step towards the actual development of the corridor following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December 2004. The aim of the project is to simplify the transport of freight between the four countries. The corridor provides connections to destinations further afield in Mediterranean regions, Spain and mainly Italy with the Lyon-Turin project. At present the potential markets along the corridor are not satisfactorily served. The corridor’s market potential is considered sufficient for development.

The next step in the process of corridor development is the implementation of the action plan in the four countries involved. It is most important that public stakeholders genuinely start working together across borders with the common aim of developing a corridor. The transport ministers concerned will receive a progress report by the end of 2006, including advice on follow-up actions if the MoU is extended by another two years.