OREANDA-NEWS. On April 23, 2007 Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, met Kosaburo Morinaka, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sumitomo Corporation, in Moscow. The two men discussed the modernisation of rail infrastructure in Russia, reported the press-centre of  Russian Railways. Yakunin informed the Japanese side about the Company s plans regarding high-speed trains in Russia. We will look to the most modern innovations available, to the leaders in the field, said Yakunin. A group of our experts will be visiting Japan soon to study the country s experience.


According to Yakunin, the first project on high-speed travel will be between Moscow and St. Petersburg. A feasibility study will also be carried out to examine the economic and commercial viability, technical side and deadlines on the construction of a high-speed line between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, said Yakunin, as well as for a high-speed line to be built between Moscow and Sochi. Yakunin also told the Japanese about the Company s plans to attract foreign investment to build new railway lines, with foreign partners able to participate in possible future projects to develop fast lines in Russia s Far East, construct new lines in the North and at the crossing to Sakhalin Island.