The conference programme, which was well received by the audience, was a very international one with a main focus on Russia as a strategic link between Europe and Asia. It dealt amongst others with the following subjects: political, economic and technological aspects, 1520 x 1435 mm, European – Asian transport corridors, rolling stock industry, harmonisation of legal transport conditions, European (ETCS/ERTMS) and Russian safety control systems, high speed rail and track infrastructure maintenance. Fifty-five speakers representing a wide range of institutions and sectors of activity took the floor to express their views on the various conference topics. They included for instance Andrey Semechkin, Director of All-Russian Research Institute of Railways and member of the Board of RZD Russian Railways, Aad Veenman, CEO of Netherlands Railways, Tadeusz Szozda, Chairman of OSJD from Poland, Michael Clausecker, General Director of UNIFE, etc.

A special feature during the conference programme was the fact that the conference session on high speed rail took place at a separate, but interesting venue, i.e. a special meeting room at the Rizhskaya station in Moscow. This session was very well attended. After the session delegates were offered a tour at this station, which was greatly appreciated by them.