Swiss State Secretary Livia Leu and the Secretary-General of the European Commission, Ilze Juhansone, have signed a memorandum of understanding for Switzerland to pay a so-called cohesion contribution of CHF1.3 billion ($1.36 billion) to Brussels.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Suiza firma el pago de 1 300 millones de francos de la UE
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.
“The signing of this MoU markers another important milestone towards the swift implementation of the contribution,” the government stated on ThursdayExternal link.
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.
But two months later, parliamentarians refused to endorse a proposal to double the size of the payment linked to persuading the EU to reinstate Switzerland as a full member of the Horizon Europe research scheme.
The CHF1.3 billion will be used to fund a number of unspecified projects in selected EU member states. The wording of the MoU was approved by Switzerland in November and by the EU in April.
State Secretary Leu was in Brussels on Thursday to conduct a third round of exploratory talks aimed at bringing both sides back together to negotiate future political ties. Switzerland broke off earlier negotiations last year.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
This content was published on
French and Swiss armoured and artillery units will train together to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Swiss army.
Harmful substances in particulate matter underestimated: Swiss research
This content was published on
Measurements significantly underestimate the amount of harmful substances in particulate matter, says an international research team under Swiss leadership.
Switzerland reopens its humanitarian office in Kabul
This content was published on
Switzerland opened its humanitarian office in Kabul in mid-March to provide targeted aid to the Afghan population in distress.
This content was published on
From Wednesday, a Swiss passport will no longer be sufficient to enter the UK - Swiss travellers will also need an electronic travel authorisation.
This content was published on
A German security expert could imagine Swiss soldiers being part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine after an eventual ceasefire.
Leading Swiss politician favours closer EU defence ties
This content was published on
Co-president of Swiss centre-left Social Democratic Party calls on Switzerland to step up security cooperation in Europe.
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 wants to intensify talks with EU
This content was published on
Switzerland resolves to "step up" exploratory talks with the EU aimed at resolving differences concerning future bilateral relations.
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.
This content was published on
Switzerland should only make another billion-franc “cohesion” payment to the EU if the EU doesn’t discriminate against Switzerland, says parliament.
Switzerland to honour CHF1.3 billion EU cohesion payment
This content was published on
The second batch of so-called “cohesion” payments was put in some doubt after the EU restricted the Swiss stock exchange’s access to the European market to one year. But the government on Friday said that, after a review of the situation, the funds would be released. “In order to safeguard its prosperity in the long…
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.