Day 1 at the international rail fair Innotrans in Berlin saw dr. Peter Verlič, President of the South East Europe Strategic Alliance for Rail Innovation (SEESARI) and the director of Institute of Traffic and Transport Ljubljana; and Executive Director of SHIFT2RAIL4 Mr. Carlo Borghini sign a Cooperation Agreement on 18 September in the presence of EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc.
SEESARI was formed in 2016 on the initiative of Institute of Traffic and Transport Ljubljana with the support of International union of railways (UIC). The alliance aims to bring together various rail stakeholders and identify innovative solutions and projects to support rail and transport system development in South East Europe while enhancing European rail system in general. At the time of writing, SEESARI had more than sixty rail-related member organisations from fourteen different countries.
SHIFT2RAIL Joint Undertaking is a public and private partnership approved by the European Commission to increase the volume of rail freight and passenger transport in Europe. The agreement is focused on exchanging information about on-going and planned activities and research and innovation (R&I) programs and stresses the importance of sharing best practice and experience in rail system redesign while underscoring the key roles played by digitalisation and interoperability. Under the agreement, SEESARI is able to participate in SHIFT2RAIL JU working groups and can contribute to the planning efforts aimed at boosting rail development in South East Europe.
