CHIȘINĂU – Moldova hosted a three-day IPA Interoperability Training from 4 to 6 November 2025, gathering representatives from Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, EU experts, and Transport Community representatives to strengthen understanding of EU railway interoperability standards and support safer, modern, and interconnected rail systems across the region.
Organised by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) with the support of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, the training offered an in-depth overview of the 4th Railway Package, the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs), vehicle authorisation processes, and the roles of key actors in the railway system. Participants also explored certification procedures, ERA registers, and the Train Drivers Directive, complemented by interactive discussions and knowledge-testing sessions.
A special focus was placed on the evolving TSI “Mega Pack 2023”, with ERA experts explaining the latest updates and their implications for railway authorities, operators, and infrastructure managers across the region.
The final day featured a hands-on technical visit to State Enterprise “Moldovan Railways”, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of Moldova’s railway system and its ongoing modernisation efforts. The visit included three key locations: Railway Museum – showcasing the history and evolution of Moldovan rail transport, offering participants valuable historical and technical context; Chișinău Locomotive Depot – where experts observed maintenance operations, rolling stock technologies, and modernisation processes in practice; and Chișinău Train Station – providing insights into passenger services, station management, and operational procedures within Moldova’s rail hub.
The event also included a presentation from Moldova’s Railway Agency and a greeting from the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, emphasising the importance of interoperability, regulatory alignment, and shared efforts toward safer and more efficient rail transport across the region.
Participation of the observing participants into this event was financed by the European Union under the grant NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2023/452688 to the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community related to preparatory activities to support the progressive involvement of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in the activities of the Transport Community.
