Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Malta and Poland will benefit from CHF1.1 billion ($1.13 billion) in Swiss funding, as part of an agreement with the European Union.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
Português
pt
Contribuição suíça à “coesão” da UE favorece oito países
The so-called ‘cohesion’ payment will fund a range of projects in those countries until 2029, the government stated on WednesdayExternal link.
These can include research, health, vocational training, integration, security, the inclusion of minorities, citizen engagement, biodiversity, environmental and climate protection, urban planning, support for small companies and tourism.
The money will directly fund selected projects rather than be paid into the coffers of partner countries or the EU.
Cohesion payments are seen as the entry fee for non-EU members like Switzerland or Norway to take part in the European Single Market. They are aimed at reducing economic and social disparities and to manage migration better in selected EU member states.
Switzerland’s second such contribution had been withheld in 2019 following a stand-off between Bern and Brussels over future political ties. But the Swiss parliament voted in October last year to unfreeze the payment in an attempt to thaw frosty ties with its biggest trading partner.
Switzerland has also agreed to provide further funding in areas such as migration, bringing the total cohesion payment to just over CHF1.3 billion over the next 10 years.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Why liberal Switzerland is opposed to the Sarco suicide capsule
Swiss foreign ministry wary of possible Middle East escalation
This content was published on
A regional conflict must be prevented, said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday. Swiss citizens have been advised to leave Lebanon.
Davos restaurateur fined for discrimination after sledge incident
This content was published on
The operator of a mountain restaurant in Davos was fined for racial discrimination after refusing to hire sledges to Jewish guests.
High-speed rail links from Switzerland to Paris cancelled
This content was published on
Swiss Federal Railways has advised against travelling to Paris on Wednesday due to the effects of bad weather in southeastern France.
Sudanese government agrees to attend Geneva peace talks
This content was published on
Sudan’s government has conditionally accepted a US invitation, raising hopes for a solution to end the country’s 15-month-old war.
Swiss athlete Julie Derron lands silver in Olympics triathlon
This content was published on
Switzerland has won a second medal at the Paris Games after Julie Derron finished runner-up in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday.
SNB reports half-year profit as strong stocks offset franc gains
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank made a solid six-month profit on rising equities and gold prices, keeping hopes alive of resumed payouts to the government.
Transport group wants direct international rail links from Geneva
This content was published on
The Swiss Association for Transport and Environment (VCS) is calling for direct connections to London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Brussels.
Swiss Snow Institute develops laser for avalanche risk assessment
This content was published on
The Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) is developing a laser system to better assess the risk of avalanches on traffic routes.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland signs off CHF1.3bn EU payment
This content was published on
Switzerland and the EC sign a memorandum of understanding for Switzerland to pay a so-called cohesion contribution of CHF1.3 billion to Brussels.
Parliament shoots down idea to double EU cohesion payment
This content was published on
Politicians have rejected an idea to double Switzerland’s “cohesion payment” to the EU from CHF1 billion to CHF 2 billion.
Brussels welcomes release of Swiss ‘cohesion payment’
This content was published on
The European Union has welcomed the Swiss parliament’s decision to unconditionally release the second cohesion contribution.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.