ABSTRACT
The unification and improvement of the conditions of the construction and operation of railways, so far as the international traffic is concerned, is particularly due to the efforts of the U.I.C. In accordance with the agreement, each organization maintains its complete autonomy, but the U.I.C. is responsible for the cooperation between these organizations. The initial stage of unification in the field of railway transport which has been reached will have to be further developed within the framework of the European Economic Community. The monopoly of the railways and the similarity of gauge forced the European railways quite early in their history to agree on a close cooperation in the technical field. The European Community for Coal and Steel came into existence under the auspices of an economic boom. Whether this could be said in respect of the Common Market is rather doubtful.
