A connection between two shaft ends situated coaxially one behind the other, of a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine and a piston rod of a valve actuator is provided, where at least one coupling member at least partially surrounds the shaft ends. The coupling member is radially compressed with respect to the two shaft ends by at least one compressing member to produce static friction locking between each shaft end and the coupling member that transfers the actuating motion of valve actuator to gas exchange valve in a slip-free manner. As a result, the fatigue strength of the connection may be increased and its assembly and disassembly may be simplified.