Switzerland says the European Union has for the first time named the fee Brussels could accept for trucks crossing the Swiss alps -- the main issue blocking a wide-ranging agreement between the two sides.

A Swiss government official said the EU's Transport Commissioner, Neil Kinnock, had offered to accept a price of just less than $500 for a 40-tonne truck crossing the alps.

Switzerland wants fees high enough to encourage transport companies to use rail rather than road transport, and has proposed just more than $600 -- already 20% down on its orginal demand.

Other areas of negotiations include the free movement of people and easier trading between Switzerland and EU countries.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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