|
The difference of the present forum, noted Mr. Yakovlev, lies in the fact that, for the very first time, it will consider transport problems not only of Europe, but also Asia, as well as the ability of Europe and Asia to establish effective transport links between themselves. Intensive development of international transport corridors makes the problem of coordinating legislation and legal systems of participating countries extremely acute. No less pressing is the problem of synchronizing the operation of border and customs officials in different countries, of developing co-operation in providing intermodular freight traffic with due information and telecommunication services, to say nothing of enhancing the competitiveness of Russian carriers. Mr. Yakovlev believes there is nothing contradictory in the fact that the Russian government has chosen St. Petersburg as the venue for the present Forum. All the impressive results of last year - 1700 trains and 2 000 000 automobiles crossing the border with the EC, 26.5 million tons of import-export freight processed in St. Petersburg Seaport, a 7-fold increase in the number of trailers serviced by ferry lines as compared to the previous year - all this proves that St. Petersburg is becoming one of Russia's major transport and technological centers .
|
