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Steinmeier, Van der Bellen Tour Brenner Base Tunnel as State Visit Reaches Tyrol

The visit spotlights cross-border rail priorities with attention on Germany's unresolved northern approach.

Overview

  • Shortly after 10:30 local time, the presidents arrived at the Ahrental portal with Tyrol Governor Anton Mattle and entered the Brenner Base Tunnel in safety gear.
  • Project leaders from BBT SE greeted the delegations, who viewed the completed West and East main tunnels during the guided inspection.
  • Mattle said he intended to raise the stalled German Nordzulauf issue, though it was not confirmed whether the topic was discussed during the tour.
  • Steinmeier reached Innsbruck by rail shortly before 22:00 the previous night, prompting a large security operation at the Hauptbahnhof that included police cordons, a helicopter, explosives units, Cobra and army support.
  • The program in Innsbruck also includes visits to Schloss Ambras and a local quantum-technology company, followed by a traditional reception outside the Hofburg, and marks the first German presidential visit to Austria in 28 years.