Talks with China begin on high-speed railway from Vienna to Black Sea - Travel News - Austrian Independent Online News - English Newspaper

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04. 12. 13. - 16:38

Talks have begun with Chinese partners about the construction of a 'European corridor' that will connect Vienna to the Black Sea port of Constanta in Romania.

The project to build a high-speed railway that will go through Bucharest on it's way from the Austrian capital to the Romanian coast is estimated to cost 11 billion Euros Romanian Transport Minister Ramona Manescu said on Tuesday at a press conference.

Manescu welcomed the partnership between Romania and the Chinese, who she believes are in a better position to provide financial support to the country than Europe currently is.

"This partnership will be achieved by respecting all the requirements and criteria set by the European Union," Manescu said, explaining the high speed 'European corridor' was just one of a range of proposals she communicated to Chinese partners.

Technical talks with the Chinese partners are due to begin soon, which will see deadlines firmed up and a contract signed so work can begin. The first working meeting is due to begin on 10 December followed by a second meeting early in January.

The announcement from the Transport Minister follows a visit by Chinese premier Li Keqiang to Romania last week where, with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, an agreement was made to cooperate in building high-speed railways in the country.

http://austrianindependent.com/news/Travel/2013-12-04/14819/Talks_with_China_begin_on_high-speed_railway_from_Vienna_to_Black_Sea