Moldova connects to EU rail network with new line
Moldova is to launch its first electrified, European-gauge railway line, connecting the capital Chișinău to Ungheni.
The government calls the strategic project a direct link to the European Union's modern rail network, bringing benefits for mobility, travel safety, and economic growth.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the new line represents an investment that will align Moldova with European transport standards. The line is expected to boost cross-border trade, giving the country a direct and efficient link to EU member states.
The pre-feasibility study is supported by the Eastern Partnership Connectivity Investment Facility (EPIC), a programme launched in 2022 by the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the World Bank. The initiative backs sustainable infrastructure development and the expansion of the core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), of which Moldova is a member.
Authorities emphasize that Moldova has emerged as the main beneficiary of the EPIC programme, which provides technical expertise for complex infrastructure projects. This ensures that transport modernization plans are turned into concrete, fundable projects, ready for implementation.
The project is a component of the European Union's Growth Plan for Moldova, a €1.9bn package intended to support the economy and accelerate the country's integration into the European area.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
