State Duma passes the Law on Russia’s accession to COTIF

On July 3, State Duma of the Russian Federation passed the law “On accession to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail” (COTIF) of May 9, 1980 as modified on June 3, 1999”, Russia's lower house of parliament states at its website.

The Convention contains regulations different from the RF legislation when it comes to parties’ relations 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.

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.