Brussels, 11/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - After discussions lasting over one year, a framework convention relating to the quality of international combined transport (CT) services was signed on 5 July between CT operators of the International Union of combined rail-road transport companies (UIRR) and the railway companies of the International Union of Railways (UIC), represented by Eric Peetermans, President of the Combined Transport Group of the UIC. The commitment in favour of quality on complete trains (that is, chartered for a single client and going from one terminal to another) will allow international CT to be more attractive and increase potential productivity for all CT actors, from those providing the means of locomotion to the operators. This convention will also serve as a framework for rail companies and operators for fixing the arrangements of quality contracts during market meetings this autumn. The partners will make a first assessment at the end of the year.