Transport: EU to join international rail organisation

The European Union will join its first international organisation for transport after signing an agreement on the accession by the EU to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) on 23 June 2011 in Bern, Switzerland. By acceding to the convention, the EU automatically also joins the intergovernmental organisation (OTIF) managing that convention. The accession agreement will enter into force on 1 July 2011 and will help to develop the EU's influence on international rail matters.