The meeting 'Bridging the Alps, overcoming barriers and advancing sustainable connectivity in Europe' organized by Confindustria and attended by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini. A delegation from Confindustria Liguria, Confindustria Piemonte and Confindustria Valle d'Aosta also took part in the meeting.
"The connections with France are the basis of the collaboration that the regional associations of the North West of the Confindustria system have been carrying out for over two years. In fact, the basis was the request for a European direction on this issue, involving not only the Italian and French governments but also the heads of the European institutions. Because, if on the one hand we are registering some progress in the construction sites of works such as the Terzo Valico, the Colle di Tenda, the doubling of the Frejus motorway tunnel and the new Turin-Lyon high-speed railway line, it is also true that these are infrastructures that have been awaited for decades, and on which an ever greater involvement of Italian and French companies is needed. Only in this way will these works, when completed, represent a real factor of competitiveness for the whole of Italy” they comment Andrea Amalberto, president of Confindustria Piemonte, John Mondini, president of Confindustria Liguria, and Francesco Turcato, president of Confindustria Valle d'Aosta.
Evidence confirmed by the very recent Oti Nord and Oti Piemonte reports, which show that only after almost 20 months, on April 2023st, the only railway line suitable for freight transport between Italy and France will be reopened, namely the Frejus line, closed since August 2021 due to a landslide in the Maurienne valley. In July, the doubling of the Frejus motorway tunnel will be opened, with a delay of several years. The Colle di Tenda, closed since 17, will be partially reopened by the end of the year, while the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be subject to a further XNUMX years of quarterly closure every autumn.
"The attractiveness of the Piedmont region is strongly linked to its geographical position. The more than 1.300 multinationals that have settled here over the years tell us this. In front of us, following this trajectory, we have other important opportunities, but Europe must mediate these requests of ours, with those of other countries. In Brussels we are present with our North West desk, the interest that Minister Salvini has always shown in the Turin-Lyon TAV, the attention recorded by Commissioner Tzitzikostas are encouraging for our businesses” comments Amalberto.
"For Confindustria Liguria, the infrastructural challenge is a central one, since it is the only one capable of guaranteeing continuity to the current economic system, and a solid growth prospect for the coming decades. Connecting our ports and the goods arriving from the Mediterranean, in a rational and safe way, is the premise for the growth of the North West and Italian economy. On the Terzo Valico and on the motorway network, as well as on the ports, much remains to be done. Dialogue at European level is therefore a priority for all our companies” adds Mondini.
"The Mont Blanc tunnel has been at the center of my entire mandate as president of Confindustria Valle d'Aosta. The hypothesis of a doubling is the only viable one in our opinion, and we have reiterated this in all venues, including Brussels. Together with our colleagues from Piedmont and Liguria, today we are also relaunching the central role of infrastructures” concludes Turcato.
