Greece-France Agreement on OSE: Gerapatridis-Pan Signatures for Knowledge and Security

Today, in Megaros Maximos, a cooperation agreement for the exchange of knowledge in railway matters was signed between the Greek Minister of State for Transport Giorgos Gerapetridis and the French Minister of Transport Clement Pan.

The contract in question will refer to more specific agreements between the competent bodies, in particular the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Française (SNCF) and the Hellenic Railway Organization (OSE).

Today’s agreement states:

• In preventing train accidents,
• In regulating liability issues of railway operators,
• In the organization and supervision of railway transport in the field of defence,
• In education and training of employees,
• In the system of Railway Traffic Control Centres,
• Establishment of committees and procedures for investigation of railway accidents.

In his opening statement, Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetridis initially referred to the centuries-old friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He spoke about the Tempe train tragedy, pointing out that the Greek government’s position to fully investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident is unwavering.

“In this context, the judicial investigation continues at a rapid pace, and a few weeks ago an administrative opinion was submitted by an ad hoc independent expert group, which fully highlights the human errors and systemic mistakes of the Greek Railways. They are of a long-term nature,” the minister said, while “the safe restart of the Greek Railways” He also talked about

Gerapetridis: The Greek government’s steadfastness in investigating the causes

State Minister’s Introductory Statement reads:

“Dear Minister, Dear Clement, It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you today at the Maximos Palace, the seat of the Greek government, and where our countries once again maintain the centuries-old friendship and cooperation. The position between others, historical, cultural, value and strategic. In dealing with the challenges, We have always had a common understanding and close cooperation, which has been confirmed in our recent history by dealing in a common way with the challenges created by modern crises such as health, energy, international geopolitical events, but also in our national issues.

The February 28 train crash in Tempe is an unprecedented national tragedy that affects us all. Due to the scale of this tragedy, the unjust loss of 57 fellow human beings, the pain continues to weigh on all of us.

The Greek government’s adamant position is to fully investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident. In this context, the judicial investigation continues at a rapid pace, and a few weeks ago an administrative opinion was submitted by an ad hoc independent expert panel, which fully highlights the human and systemic mistakes of the Greek Railways. are of a long-term nature.

We have already taken steps to restart railway operations with enhanced level of safety while ensuring timely completion of new signaling and remote control systems on major railway axis. French companies that have undertaken a significant part of this upgrade are also actively contributing to this goal. However, a substantial and qualitative improvement of the operation and safety of the Greek railways requires regular re-evaluation and adjustment based on the data of each period. For this purpose, it is necessary to use good international practices with exchange of know-how and human resources.

In this context, the French Ministry of Transport with its experience and the French Railways with its high international reputation and expertise are valuable assistants. After a telephone conversation between the French President and the Greek Prime Minister, we reported earlier last month that Mr. Today, after creative preparation, we are in a very happy position to sign a cooperation agreement between the two ministries, which will be specified with more specific agreements between the competent organizations, in particular the Société National des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) and the Railway Organization of Greece (OSE).

Today our agreement states:

• In preventing train accidents,
• In regulating liability issues of railway operators,
• In the organization and supervision of railway transport in the field of defence,
• In education and training of employees,
• In the system of Railway Traffic Control Centres,
• Establishment of committees and procedures for investigation of railway accidents. Hoping that this agreement will be the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration to improve rail transport, the Minister, Mr. I express my gratitude to the Minister and all the members of the French delegation.