"Alpine crossings have a fundamental role and a strategic priority in a framework that is not only national but European. We need an EU policy: this is not just an issue between neighbouring countries, but for the whole Union'. This was the message Leopoldo Destro, Delegate of the President of Confindustria for Transport, Logistics and the Tourism Industry, during the conference 'Bridging the Alps: overcoming barriers and advancing sustainable connectivity in Europe', held on 19 March in Brussels at the European Parliament, organised by Confindustria in cooperation with Medef. An opportunity to make the EU institutions aware of the demands of the business world.

Coordination, integration, intermodality were the keywords of yesterday's debate, with Destro calling for the appointment of a special representative of the European Commission dedicated to the management and development of transalpine infrastructure and the strengthening of the Commission's decision-making powers.

"In 2023, the EU's extra-EU exports amounted to EUR 2,556 billion, while the value of intra-EU trade was EUR 4,102 billion. The growth of the intra-EU market was 61% higher than that of exports outside the EU. These numbers highlight the essential role that the single EU market plays in the growth of the economy. The industry wants to alert us to an issue that must necessarily have a European vision: the Alpine crossings are strategic infrastructures and the future of European trade depends on the ability to manage efficient, resilient and sustainable logistics networks,' stressed Destro.

Positions reiterated by participants including Olivier Poncelet, general delegate of the Transport and Logistics Union member of Medef, to which 2000 companies in the sector belong, who emphasised the importance of the Alpine crossings; Christine Volzow, head of the Economic Policy Department of the Bavarian Industrialists' Association, who also called for a digital platform to manage and coordinate transport.

"The trade barriers within the EU, amounting to 44% on goods and 110% on services, penalise intra-EU trade," Leopold Right pointed out, "even with the limitations of the Alpine arc, think in particular of Mont Blanc, Frejus and the Brenner Pass. Considering that the main protagonists of European trade Germany, Italy, France, together with Austria, Spain, Slovenia and Switzerland account for more than 51% of intra-European exports, it is crucial to strengthen competitiveness and thus ensure a truly integrated single market. What is needed, therefore, is a real European border crossing policy, where the permeability of the Alps becomes a central priority on the EU agenda'.

According to data provided by Damiano Frosi of the Milan Polytechnic, Italy's interchange with Europe, the UK and Switzerland amounts to EUR 746 billion, 230 million tonnes, of which 83% passes through the Alpine passes.