In 2016, the Foundation launched a new activity based on the work of an expert group. The theme addressed in 2016-17 concerns transport (challenges and sustainability). To support this work, the Foundation organised a conference on 26 January 2017, in partnership with the think-tank on foreign policy foraus, on “the European Union’s strategy for the Alpine region”.
The conference, presented by Dr Tobias Etzold of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, focused on a discussion paper of the same name published by foraus in February 2016.
In 2015, the European Commission presented a macro-regional strategy for the Alpine region. This includes some EU Member States, but also non-member countries such as Switzerland or Liechtenstein as potential cooperation partners.
For Switzerland, the European strategy would present positive points, in particular with a view to being better integrated in certain areas and cooperation processes.
Following Mr. Etzold’s presentation, the audience present at the event was able to exchange views in order to continue the reflection carried out so far. Some questions arise, particularly because of the common name of this area, which is nevertheless different in terms of population and culture.