Brussels, 14/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 17 March the European Commission and the European railway sector are going to sign a memorandum of understanding, which favours the inter-operability of railways in Community territory. This agreement will help define the main bases for the European Rail Traffic Management System, ERTMS. Once set up, this system will aid rail operators to implement a European inter-operable rail network that is more competitive. The first stage of this strategy will see the MOU defining the contributions from the different parties, indicated a press statement from the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), which is signing the memorandum with the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and the Union of European Railway Industries (UNIFE).