Swiss Transport Minister Rösti Meets Colleagues in Berlin and Rome

The head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK), Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, met various government representatives in Berlin and Rome on November 3 and 4, 2025. The respective situation in rail freight transport was also discussed. The four meetings with the German and Italian counterparts were focused on deepening various cross-border transport and energy issues.

(Bern/Berlin/Rome) In Berlin, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti met with the new German Federal Minister for Transport, Patrick Schnieder, on November 3, 2025. Both sides expressed interest in the good cooperation in the transport sector. Federal Councillor Rösti emphasized the importance of efficient access routes to the NEAT. The coordination of construction sites and sufficient capacities on the diversion routes are essential for high-quality rail freight transport on the North-South axis. He also highlighted the significance of the Gäubahn line Stuttgart-Schaffhausen as a replacement route for both rail freight and passenger transport. The great potential of the EC connection Zurich-Munich, which depends on infrastructure expansions on the German side, was addressed by UVEK head Rösti.

In discussions with Katharina Reiche, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Federal Councillor Rösti exchanged views on cooperation for the further development and strengthening of cross-border electricity grid infrastructure. Another topic was future collaboration in the field of hydrogen, which also involves the framework conditions for connecting Switzerland to the European hydrogen network.

During his visit to Berlin, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti also met with the German Minister for Digital and State Modernization, Karsten Wildberger. Current developments in artificial intelligence and Switzerland’s intention to host an international AI summit in Geneva in 2027 were discussed. The future of digital infrastructure in Germany and Switzerland was also a topic, particularly in relation to the expansion of broadband networks and the security of telecommunications infrastructure.

Working Meeting in Rome on Transport Issues

On November 4, 2025, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti was in Rome with Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Topics of discussion included the expansion of rail infrastructure, rail freight transport, and an agreement on driving licenses in road traffic. Federal Councillor Rösti thanked Minister Salvini for Italy’s progress in expanding the southern railway access routes to the NEAT. Without efficient rail transport axes south of the Alps, the modern base tunnels could not fully realize their impact on shifting freight transport. Furthermore, Federal Councillor Rösti explained to his Italian counterpart the measures for the safety of freight cars that Switzerland implemented on September 11, 2025, following the investigation report on the accident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Finally, Switzerland and Italy extended the bilateral agreement on the mutual recognition of driving licenses in road traffic by five years during the meeting in Rome. The agreement facilitates the exchange of driving licenses for citizens of both countries without additional tests and has proven to be very practical. With the signing, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and Minister Matteo Salvini reaffirmed the constructive cooperation between the two countries in the transport sector.

Photo: © UVEK