Brussels, 05/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has approved the setting-up of a 50/50 joint venture between SNCF and TRENITALIA, the French and Italian rail companies. The joint venture, also known as Autoroute Ferroviaire Alpine, will provide a new rail shuttle service for lorries and semi-trailers through the Fréjus tunnel linking France and Italy and intended to ease the traffic congestion on routes crossing the Alps. The French and Italian Governments intend to give financial support to the scheme, which will not be financially viable initially. However, Commission approval to set up the joint venture, is in view that this will not strengthen a dominant position on the market and still allow a possible examination by the Commission of the aid by the French and Italian governments under its powers to monitor state aid.