During French President François Hollande’s state visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on 28 February, a statement of intent between SNCF and RZD to create an international centre for high speed transport systems was signed by Guillaume Pepy, President of French National Railways (SNCF) and by Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Railways (RZD).

This agreement, signed by French Railways (SNCF) and Russian Railways (RZD), was also signed by Paris’ Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées (Civil and Structural Engineering School) and Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts), and by the Moscow State University of Railway Engineering.

Speaking on the subject, Guillaume Pepy said: “For us Russia is a country with a vast railway presence, accounting for 20% of the world’s rail traffic and with tremendous plans for high speed lines, modernised railway stations, as well as for regular trains [...]
The prospects of sharing our expertise under this agreement – through the creation of this Franco-Russian institute of rail studies, research and training – are highly promising. The centre will be designed to enable engineers from the two countries to meet and get to know each other in a warm and welcoming environment and a partnership of equals, in order to move forward together whilst allowing each party to play to its strengths.”

“This visit to Russia, a major railway country, can teach us a great deal, and will act as a catalyst for the close relations we have been fostering with Russian Railways for a number of years now.”