#3 - RW 274
Russia route better alternative to Suez canal: officials
September 18, 2003
AFP

Russia can prove a better transit route for cargo transports from Europe to Asia than conventional corridors such as the Suez Canal, Russian officials said after talks with UN Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) in Moscow.

Demonstration runs of special cargo trains dispatched in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok for Europe "proved the Russian corridor's obvious advantages over the sea route through the Suez Canal," Russian Transport Minister Sergei Frank said late Wednesday as quoted by Interfax.

In talks with UNESCAP's Transport and Tourism chief Barry Cable, Frank also discussed Russia's involvement in UNESCAP car and railroad projects as well as setting up an upgraded transportation network in Asia.

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