20th EGTC RALP Assembly

Foto by Erwin van der Linden

The 20th Assembly Meeting of the EGTC Rhine-Alpine took place on November 29, 2024, in Karlsruhe. In the Assembly, members were informed about budget planning, project updates, and progress achieved in strategy development and action planning.

Major topics were changes in EGTC Leadership. The Assembly unanimously elected a new Chair and Vice-Chair.

• Paolo Palamiti, Head of Assolombarda Brussels Liaison Office, elected as the new Chair
• Frederik Zevenbergen, Regional Minister of the province of Zuid-Holland, elected as a new Vice Chair

Following an introduction by Tristan Atmania (Director of International, Institutional and European Cooperation) Pôle Métropolitain Européen du Sillon Lorrain was unanimously approved as a new member of the EGTC. This addition brings valuable expertise in economic development, innovation, and transport services to the alliance.

Speaking at the Assembly, Frank Mentrup, the Lord Mayor of the City of Karlsruhe, emphasised the need for international cooperation to help achieve the goals of sustainability and mobility.

EGTC RALP contributes to POLIS Conference 2024

Dr. Cecilia Braun, Director of the Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor (EGTC RALP), represented the organisation and its members at the POLIS Conference 2024 last week.

Dr. Braun contributed to the panel discussion in Session 3D, titled “Extending regional connectivity through multilevel governance.” During the panel discussion, she emphasised the significant impact of EGTC RALP’s initiatives in addressing cross-border challenges along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. The POLIS Conference 2024 brought together more than 1000 key stakeholders in the field of transport and regional development from across Europe.

Dr. Braun shared the panel with several esteemed colleagues from various European regions and organisations such as Ljubljana Urban Region, FrankfurtRhineMain Region, Baden-Württemberg and South Holland.

European Commission approves € 1.9 billion for DB Cargo

Symbolic picture by Didgeman on Pixabay

The European Commission has approved 1.9 billion € in state aid for German rail freight operator DB Cargo, which is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. The aid is contingent on the implementation of a restructuring plan to ensure the company’s long-term viability.

The decision follows an in-depth investigation launched in January 2022 after a competitor raised concerns about potential market distortions. The approval of this aid could ensure the long-term viability of DB Cargo, crucial for sustainable logistics circuits as a lower-emissions alternative to road transport.

The investigation focused on a profit and loss transfer agreement between Deutsche Bahn AG and DB Cargo, intra-group services, group financing conditions of loans, and partial coverage by the German Federal Railway Fund of remuneration for civil servants.

Source: 

Reuters.com