(ANSA) - TRIESTE - The two deals signed on Monday by the president of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, Zeno D'Agostino, aim to increase rail links with central and eastern Europe and strengthen links with the European rail network, in order to enhance intermodal services with central and eastern European maritime and land terminals. The first agreement was signed by the CEO of the Austrian railways OBB-INFRA Andreas Mattha, and Christian Colaneri, commercial director of Italy's RFI; the second deal was signed with Rail Cargo Austria (RCA). Both agreements were signed in conjunction with the beginning of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Free Port of Trieste, created by Emperor Charles VI. According to D'Agostino, ''these agreements will allow us to better plan the future development of the port of Trieste, offering guarantees to those who already work there, and to potential future investors''. Andreas Mattha is convinced that Trieste is ''a model to follow in terms of effective interconnectivity between different modes of transport''. ''RCA is the largest operator in our port with almost 3,000 trains last year out of a total of 9,700'', Zeno D'Agostino said after signing the memorandum. ''Today we signed two agreements - he continued - the first focuses on services because we will design new intermodal services not only in the port of Trieste but also Fernetti, FreEste, Cervignano, that is the whole system, whereas the second agreement involves RFI, System Authority and OBB''. In the agreement with RCA, the port is considering a partnership ''for intermodal terminals both in Villach and in Budapest, which is one of the most important markets for the port of Trieste''. (ANSA).