Switzerland rarely receives as much global attention as it does on 1 June 2016. Journalists from Japan, Kuwait, Chile and China are on hand, while the BBC covers the event in depth. Angela Merkel, Matteo Renzi, François Hollande and other prominent politicians have taken their seats in the special train. They are full of praise for Switzerland's contribution to advancing European economic integration. Confederation President Johann Schneider-Ammann and Transport Minister Doris Leuthard hail the epoch-making construction as a symbol of openness. The spectacular ceremony marking the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel pulls out all the stops. Top figures from the EU have not found the time to attend.
« It was a lot of work, but the result was well worth it. »
Federal Office of Transport, Final report on the opening festivities, 05.09.2016