The message reads, in part:
“Your international forum brings together a wide range of participants — the CEOs of national railways, engineering and logistics companies, and attracts growing interest with every year. Today, the participants represent not only countries of the 1520 Area, but also a number of other states.
This year, you will discuss the pressing issues of modernising the railways sector, increasing its efficiency and its investment attractiveness. Among other things, you will review prospects for strengthening the transit potential of the member states and the development of international transport corridors.
I am confident that the recommendations formulated by the forum participants will make a meaningful contribution to the solution of these problems and facilitate an efficient use of international experience for the benefit of national economies.”
V International Railways Business Forum 1520 Strategic Partnership is taking place in Sochi on May 26–28, 2010. The number 1520 in the name of the forum means the width of the railway track in millimetres. Construction of such tracks began in Russia in the second half of the 20th century. This 1520 track, which is customarily referred to as the Russian track, is the second longest in the world.