Romanian ambassador in Chisinau: Relaunch of Falciu-Cantemir rail link opens new economic opportunities for R. of Moldova

The relaunch of railway traffic on the Prut-2 (Republic of Moldova) – Falciu (Romania) section, after 17 years, opens new opportunities for freight transport and supports the economic development of southern Moldova while strengthening links with the EU market, said Romanian ambassador in Chisinau Cristian-Leon Turcanu, cited by Deschide.md portal.

The ambassador took part on Wednesday in the ceremony marking the testing and resumption of traffic on the Falciu – Cantemir railway section, noting that the reopening will help diversify import – export routes.

‘Today we crossed the Prut by train, on the railway connection between Cantemir and Falciu, reopened after a long period of inactivity. The last passenger train passed through here in 2009. Testing in real conditions confirms the functionality of the modernized line and the direct connection to the Romanian railway network. The project opens new opportunities for freight transport and supports the economic development of the south of the Republic of Moldova, strengthening links with the European Union market,’ the diplomat said.

According to Cristian-Leon Turcanu, the resumption of traffic provides a direct freight-transport option with access to the EU market.

He recalled that the Falciu – Cantemir line is part of a route built in 1917 – 1918 and used for decades for goods transport. After 1990, traffic declined and the infrastructure deteriorated. The line has now been adapted for combined European-gauge (1,435 mm) and broad-gauge (1,520 mm) operation, enabling a direct link between Moldova’s railway network and that of Romania, and, implicitly, the European Union. AGERPRES (RO – writing by: Lilia Traci; EN – writing by: Simona Klodnischi)