Solidarity Lanes: improving the Danube routes together

Representatives of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, the United States  and the European Commission gathered today in Chisinau, continuing their work together to improve trade routes through the Solidarity Lanes along the Danube corridor. This group began meeting last summer, when Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative and attacked Ukraine’s port infrastructure in an attempt to block Ukraine’s grain exports. In response the group developed the Danube Action Plan, listing practical solutions to increase regional export capacity through alternative routes, and brought millions of tons of agricultural exports to global markets.

This group has partnered to establish nighttime transit and better navigation management on the Sulina canal including regular data-sharing between Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. The group has also implemented e-queuing systems throughout the region and facilitated traffic management at the entrance to Constanta port.

Yesterday, the group inaugurated joint Ukrainian-Moldovan border controls at the refurbished Reni border crossing point, established a plan for coordinated control at the Galati border crossing point, and endorsed next steps to further improve flows along the Danube corridor. Together the group is paving the way for long-term connectivity and resiliency. And the group is pursuing additional opportunities to increase efficiency and expand use of the Danube corridor for imports and exports of all types of goods. The group reconfirmed its good cooperation and committed to continue to work together.