RF Government has approved the draft law “On accession to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail” (COTIF) of May 9, 1980 as modified on June 3, 1999”. According to the Government’s press center, the draft law is to be furnished to the State Duma in compliance with the established procedure.
The Convention on international railway transportation was signed in Bern on May 9, 1980. It is aimed to simplify international railway transportation including that, which involves maritime transport. As of today, the Convention was signed by 43 countries including those of the European Union, Asia and Africa.
The Convention contains regulations different from the RF legislation when it comes to parties’ иrelations and their responsibility for cargo loss or damage. The decision on Russia’s accession to COTIF should be made in the form of the federal law according to sub-clause "а" of clause 1 article 21 of the Federal Law on international agreements of the Russian Federation.