PRAGUE – On 26 and 27 February 2025, the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community hosted two railway events in Prague, bringing together government representatives, EU officials, and industry experts to discuss and advance rail connectivity.
The first meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) for the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) Programme, a capacity building event, took place on 26 February. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in the Digital Automatic Coupling programme, which aims to modernise rail freight transport.
Mr Libor Lohman, DAC Ambassador, presented an overview of DAC and its benefits, followed by discussions on rail freight patterns in the Western Balkans, the state of rolling stock, and financial opportunities for modernisation. The event concluded with a discussion on planning the upcoming DAC Forum in the Western Balkans.
Participants also had the chance to visit Czech railway facilities, including the regional Centralised Traffic Management and Control Centre (AZD) and the Škoda Maintenance Workshop, gaining first-hand insights into railway operations and innovations.
On 27 February, the 23rd Meeting of the Technical Committee for Rail gathered to discuss the region’s railway development. The meeting focused on the implementation of the Transport Community’s Next Generation Rail Action Plan, progress in implementing EU transport standards, and the involvement of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in advancing rail connectivity and strengthening international cooperation.
The Technical Committee also discussed the status of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects in the Western Balkans and the development of a multimodal freight terminal network to drive efficiency in logistics.
By organising these two events, the Transport Community remains committed to enhancing rail transport efficiency and integration across the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, promoting the alignment with EU policies and sustainability goals.
