18/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 18 October, the European Commission welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Romanian and Ukrainian governments, which will help to increase the capacity of Solidarity Lanes, particularly given the damage caused to Ukraine's transport infrastructure by Russian aggression. “Romania has a pivotal role in the functioning of the Solidarity Lanes and is engaging constructively with all the parties concerned, including through the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes Joint Coordination Platform”, commented the Commission in a press release. The improvement of the border crossing between Ukraine and Romania, as provided for in this Protocol, should meet Ukraine’s immediate import and export needs and also firmly anchor it in the EU transport area (see EUROPE 13271/26). (AD)