News

Kick-off for the Cross-Border Cooperation Committee between France and Italy

In the presence of the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries, Antonio Tajani and Catherine Colonna, this historic meeting of Franco-Italian cooperation brought together political representatives from the major border local authorities (Regions, Departments, Metropolises), cross-border groupings and central administrations of both countries. This was a new exercise for the parties involved, with the aim of reviewing the areas of cooperation identified by the Treaty, around this border that covers both land and sea.

Mobility and links between territories (road and rail infrastructure), water resource management in the face of increasingly recurrent phenomena (intense rainfall, prolonged drought, etc.), and health cooperation were among the major priorities, the Franco-Italian border being the only French border without a framework agreement in this latter field.

Other initiatives and work were announced by Committee members:

• The launch of a working group on the development of air and sea transport between Corsica, Sardinia and the mainland regions of both countries (and a proposal to amend article 10 of the treaty to add the notion of "maritime border").
• A cross-border alliance between the provinces of Imperia and Cuneo and the Metropolis of Nice, notably in the fields of environment, economy and health.
• The project to set up a local EGTC between the French Riviera Conurbation Community and its border partners in the mountains and on the Ligurian coast.
• The need to boost the international recognition of the Maritime Alps Park and the Mercantour Park (the only active Franco-Italian EGTC).
• Closer cooperation between universities, and between hospitals in Susa and Briançon; the doubling of the Mont Blanc tunnel; work to be carried out on the Tende pass; landslide management in the Maurienne valley, etc.

As the CCF is due to meet "at least once a year", the territories are already eager to take part in continuing the work. A second meeting is scheduled in 2024.

Discover the "Alcotraité" project, in which the MOT is participating, and which will contribute to the work of the CCF.
Read more about "Cross-border obstacles" in the latest MOT FOCUS [In French only].