On the initiative of Georgian Railway LLC and as a result of the active cooperation with relevant state departments, Georgia will become the member of Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF).The decision will officially come into force on May 1, 2012.

The Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail was founded in 1980. The organization provides development of uniform standard system on international freight and passengers transportations for the member's countries. Members of the organization are such countries, as: France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Turkey, Sweden, Belgium, etc.

As you know, in 2007 construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Karsi railway has began, which will connect infrastructure of the Georgian Railway to Western Europe through Turkey, by means of cheaper and short transport corridor. The new railway line will increase function of the Georgian railway as alternative transportation link between Europe and Asia that is directly connected with growth of freight traffic.

The project includes the passenger transfer, which will facilitate to the development of tourism in Georgia.

Accordingly, the introduction in OTIF will give the chance to the country to carry out rail transportation within international legal regulations, introduced and tested in Western Europe countries for many years.