Paris and Berlin are working on creating a “Franco-German youth train ticket” to promote travel between the two countries, the two transport ministers announced after a meeting on Saturday.
The details of this “special young ticket at a reduced price”, for example for the summer season, will be defined by the Franco-German Council of Ministers in January 2023, they indicated in a joint press release.
“In order to achieve our climate goals for the transport sector, we have to convince more people to travel by train. To do this, we have to offer attractive offers,” Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Affairs Volker Wissing said in Paris this week. Friday for a “working visit” at the invitation of his counterpart Clément Beaune.
Tensions in the Franco-German couple
“Travel and exchanges are at the heart of the Franco-German rapprochement. This is an important step in our common ambition for the construction of Europe and the ecological transition”, commented Clément Beaune.
The initiative is announced in a context in which the relationship between Paris and Berlin has faced several disputes in recent weeks. Taking note of their differences, the two countries have also postponed the Franco-German Council of Ministers initially scheduled for the end of October.
Meanwhile, a lunch was held at the Elysee in the presence of Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz, who assured that France and Germany remain “very close.”
This Friday, the two ministers visited the Airbus Helicopters plant in Paris-Le Bourget, which produces “the most innovative blades on the market in terms of decarbonization and reduction of noise pollution.”
They agreed to discuss their projects again in the coming weeks, and also their joint positions at the Transport Council on December 5 in Brussels.
Source: BFM TV
