The European Investment Bank (EIB) has billions available to support Romania in developing its railway system, with nearly 3 billion euro already allocated to just three railway rehabilitation and modernisation projects, namely Episcopia Bihor-Cluj, Arad-Caransebes and Brasov-Sighisoara, EIB Senior Transport Expert Mihai Frumosu told the Railway Days conference on Tuesday.

'In Romania, if I just mention three projects - Episcopia Bihor-Cluj, Arad-Caransebes, Brasov-Sighisoara - only these three, though in fact most railway projects in Romania are supported by the European Investment Bank both financially and through technical assistance. For these three alone, we are talking about nearly 3 billion euro, so the EIB's financial support amounts to many, many billions,' Mihai Frumosu said.

He emphasised that the EIB provides support not only financially, but also through technical assistance.

'The European Investment Bank, on behalf of the European Commission, also manages green certificates, and we have had trains purchased through these certificates. We also offer technical assistance (...) through our two main initiatives, PASSA and JASPERS, which support the preparation and implementation of projects, especially railway ones. The railway sector is extremely important to us, to the Bank. Why? Because when we talk about improving climate conditions, shifting from other modes of transport to rail is key in reducing carbon emissions. So for us, the railway system is close to our hearts, and we support it both financially and with technical expertise,' Frumosu said.

The EIB representative mentioned that the Bank has many billions of euro it can make available to Romania for rail projects, including high-speed rail development.

'We have many billions ready to support Romania in developing its railway system, and we want to continue standing by its side, as we have for many years. We have been present in Romania for over 30 years, and we want to remain a partner. One Romanian initiative we have supported from a technical standpoint, and which we hope will take Romania to a new level in rail development, is the introduction of high-speed rail lines,' he added.

Railway Days 2025 returned to Bucharest on 14-15 October, bringing together key players in the rail transport sector, including authorities, top companies, experts and strategic partners.

According to the organisers, the conference, now in its 20th edition, brings together influential voices shaping the present and future of rail transport.

The Railway Days Summit is the largest and most prominent rail conference and exhibition in Romania, attracting hundreds of professionals and industry leaders every year to this well-established and highly regarded event in the Romanian railway sector.

AGERPRES National News Agency is one of the media partners of the event. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Tilica; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)