The official go ahead to link Bucharest's principal railway station Gara de Nord to Obor Station and the Gara de Sud has been given, after collaboration between Ministries of Transport from Romania and Belgium was adopted earlier on Tuesday (April 17 ). The cooperation agreement was signed in 2011.

According to the Romanian government, the agreement will provide a legal framework for the respective Ministries of Transport to cooperate. The plan will include upgrading Gara de Nord and a tunnel link between the three stations. However, it is not clear whether the link will be part of the Bucharest Metro system or a new separate underground rail connection. It is hoped the project will "simplify and streamline rail traffic."

The Ministries of Transport from Romania and Belgium will contribute directly to support the implementation of this project. The government will also help companies access funding to implement the project, by requesting funds from international financial institutions and creating value for the land owned by the railway stations.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com