Germany and the Czech Republic have reaffirmed their intention to expand and modernize rail links between the two countries. German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) and his Czech counterpart Martin Kupka signed a joint memorandum to this effect in Prague on Friday. Specifically, it is about the modernization of the routes between Berlin and Prague, between Nuremberg or Munich and Prague via Schwandorf, and between Nuremberg and Prague via Marktredwitz and Cheb (Eger).
"We want to realize this as quickly as possible," Wissing said. That is very important for the growing together of Europe. In addition, he said, the German government is counting on a significant increase in freight traffic by rail in the future. The projects are reportedly in the early planning phase. Kupka stressed that it would now be easier to negotiate in Brussels about funding for the projects.
In the memorandum, both sides reaffirm, among other things, their desire to electrify the Nuremberg-Marktredwitz-Cheb rail line and make it passable for modern freight trains with a length of up to 740 meters. Between Berlin and Prague, the travel time is to be almost halved to two and a half hours in the future thanks to the planned Ore Mountains tunnel.
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