In November 2005, the High Level Group of the EU Commission identified the major trans-European transport axes between the enlarged EU and its new neighbours. The Northern Axis was among them, which includes the multimodal connection
Narvik-Haparanda/Tornio-Vartius/Kivijarvi-(St.Petersburg); that is the N.E.W. Railway Corridor/ Barents Link.

The Group recommends to the Commission and the Member States that all Action Plans under the European Neighbourhood Policy should reflect the Group’s recommendations.

Following this, it is necessary to identify and specify the characteristics and other features of the Corridor more in detail so that the up-coming negotiations between the EU and Russia, as well as among the Partners, will be based on adequate information and common understanding of the railway’s upgrading needs.

An assessment of and a proposal for upgrading and harmonising railway standards and practices throughout the connection, form the main content of WP 3 in STBR II. The assessment is complemented with a pilot project for testing railway operations in the corridor and specifying feasible operating models for railway traffic between Russia and the Nordic Countries.

Two subprojects are proposed

1. Establishment of the N.E.W. Railway Corridor/Barents Link in the Barents Region

2. Pilot project and operating model for timber transport between Russia and Nordic Countries

• Bo-Erik Ekblom, County Administrative Board of Norrbotten
• Morgen Yngvesson, SCA Forest Products AB
• Kari Konsin, RHK, Finnish Rail Administration
• Mikael Eriksson, Swedish National Rail, Northern Region
• Jernbaneverket
• Johnny Johansson, Sveaskog
• John Fagerbo, Billerud, Karlsborg
• Martti Miettinen, BEATA Secretary
• Eero Sirviö, VR Cargo
• Timo Mäntylä, VR Cargo
• Marko Mäenpää, STBR II Secretariat