31/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - Bulc takes stock of Zurich Process with Alpine countries' ministers. On 31 May, the eve of the official opening of the St Gotthard tunnel, Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc attended a meeting in Lugano, Switzerland, of the transport ministers of the Alpine countries. The main purpose for the commissioner was to take stock of what has been done under the Zurich Process, which seeks to improve road travel and freight transport in the Alpine region. The process was launched after the tragic accident in the St Gotthard tunnel in 2001 which cost the lives of 11 people. Commissioner Bulc also restated the Commission's full support to the Alpine countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland) in ensuring the development of sustainable and environmentally-friendly transalpine transport. On Wednesday 1 June, the commissioner will take part in the official opening of the St Gotthard rail tunnel which will come into service in December as part of the Rhine-Alps Corridor. (PH)