Greater cooperation with Slovakia

19.09.2023 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland and Slovakia have signed a bilateral agreement on 19 September 2023 on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. Switzerland will support programmes in Slovakia in the areas of vocational training, sustainable tourism and healthcare amounting to CHF 44.2 million. This means that all 13 bilateral implementation agreements for the second Swiss contribution to strengthen cohesion are under wraps.

Second Swiss contribution: Federal Council approves implementation agreements between Switzerland and eight EU states

31.08.2022 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council approved the bilateral implementation agreements for the Swiss contribution to cohesion in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Malta, Romania and Poland on 31 August 2022. The agreements provide the basis for Switzerland's cooperation programmes in those areas where its support will add value. Now that the agreements have been approved, Switzerland can move into the operational stage.

No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement

26.05.2021 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 26 May, the Federal Council undertook an overall evaluation of the outcome of the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement (InstA). It concluded that there remain substantial differences between Switzerland and the EU on key aspects of the agreement. The conditions are thus not met for the signing of the agreement. The Federal Council today took the decision not to sign the agreement, and communicated this decision to the EU. This brings the negotiations on the draft of the InstA to a close. The Federal Council nevertheless considers it to be in the shared interest of Switzerland and the EU to safeguard their well-established cooperation and to systematically maintain the agreements already in force. It therefore wishes to launch a political dialogue with the EU on continued cooperation. Meanwhile, it has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to consider how autonomous amendments to Swiss legislation might contribute to the stabilisation of Swiss–EU relations.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press releases EDA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Un miliardo ben investito

05.06.2018 — Article Schweizer Beitrag
I dieci Paesi che hanno aderito all’Unione europea nel 2004 hanno concluso i progetti svolti nel quadro del contributo all’allargamento. La SECO e la DSC tracciano un bilancio e pubblicano i risultati nel rapporto annuale 2017. I progetti hanno notevolmente contribuito alla riduzione delle disparità sociali ed economiche in Europa. La Svizzera ha potuto apportare le proprie conoscenze specifiche in numerosi progetti.

Procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo svizzero

28.03.2018 — Article Schweizer Beitrag
In occasione della sua seduta del 28 marzo 2018 il Consiglio federale ha deciso di avviare la procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo della Svizzera ad alcuni Stati dell’Unione europea, volto a ridurre, anche in futuro, le disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE. Le priorità tematiche di questo contributo, formazione professionale e migrazione, erano già state fissate dal Consiglio federale lo scorso anno

Contributo all’allargamento: bilancio positivo dopo 10 anni

19.06.2017 — Press releases Schweizer Beitrag
Il 14 giugno 2017 è scaduto il termine di attuazione di dieci anni del contributo svizzero all’allargamento ai dieci Paesi dell’Europa centrale e dell’Est entrati a far parte dell’UE nel 2004. La Svizzera ha realizzato complessivamente 210 progetti con il fondo di un miliardo di franchi approvato dal Parlamento, fornendo così un contributo solidale alla riduzione delle disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE.

Switzerland’s enlargement contribution rated highly

21.03.2016 — Press releases EDA
An independent evaluation has confirmed the federal authorities responsible have achieved good results in implementing Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the new EU member states. The in-depth assessment showed that the projects, of which there are some 300, are making a positive contribution towards promoting social and economic development in the 13 partner states. The objectives are being attained or even exceeded in the vast majority of projects. Various recommendations encourage further efficiency and greater thematic and geographic focus.

Swiss-EU relations at the focus of visit to Malta and Slovakia by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

09.03.2016 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, met with his Maltese counterpart George W. Vella on Wednesday in Valletta. The two foreign ministers mainly discussed the issue of Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the political situation in the Mediterranean region. The Federal Councillor then gave a speech at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies on mediation and Switzerland's policy of providing good offices.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister

25.06.2015 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

Visegrad summit: Switzerland strengthens dialogue and cooperation with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary

09.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
At his meeting with Prime Ministers Robert Fico (Slovakia), Bohuslav Sobotka (Czech Republic), Ewa Kopacz (Poland) and Viktor Orban (Hungary) at the Visegrad summit in Bratislava, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, and his partners adopted a declaration providing for a regular exchange of views and seeking to promote the development of joint initiatives in areas such as education, research and economic cooperation. President Burkhalter also used his stay in Bratislava to hold bilateral talks with Slovakia's President, Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak.

Political talks, innovation and regional cooperation: Swiss President Didier Burkhalter visits Slovakia

08.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 9 December 2014, President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter will take part in the summit of the Visegrad Group, which comprises Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary alongside Slovakia. The Visegrad countries will be represented in Bratislava by their prime ministers. In addition, Mr Burkhalter is to meet with Slovakian President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák for bilateral talks.

Greater cooperation with Slovakia

19.09.2023 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland and Slovakia have signed a bilateral agreement on 19 September 2023 on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. Switzerland will support programmes in Slovakia in the areas of vocational training, sustainable tourism and healthcare amounting to CHF 44.2 million. This means that all 13 bilateral implementation agreements for the second Swiss contribution to strengthen cohesion are under wraps.

Second Swiss contribution: Federal Council approves implementation agreements between Switzerland and eight EU states

31.08.2022 — Press releases EDA
The Federal Council approved the bilateral implementation agreements for the Swiss contribution to cohesion in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Malta, Romania and Poland on 31 August 2022. The agreements provide the basis for Switzerland's cooperation programmes in those areas where its support will add value. Now that the agreements have been approved, Switzerland can move into the operational stage.

No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement

26.05.2021 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 26 May, the Federal Council undertook an overall evaluation of the outcome of the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement (InstA). It concluded that there remain substantial differences between Switzerland and the EU on key aspects of the agreement. The conditions are thus not met for the signing of the agreement. The Federal Council today took the decision not to sign the agreement, and communicated this decision to the EU. This brings the negotiations on the draft of the InstA to a close. The Federal Council nevertheless considers it to be in the shared interest of Switzerland and the EU to safeguard their well-established cooperation and to systematically maintain the agreements already in force. It therefore wishes to launch a political dialogue with the EU on continued cooperation. Meanwhile, it has tasked the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to consider how autonomous amendments to Swiss legislation might contribute to the stabilisation of Swiss–EU relations.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis discusses multilateral cooperation and security in Europe with Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák

16.05.2019 — Press releases EDA
Mr Cassis, who is the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has met Mr Lajčák in Bratislava during a working visit to Slovakia. Both foreign ministers highlighted the positive development of their countries bilateral ties and discussed the institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Talks concerning multilateral cooperation focused on security in Europe and the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Mr Lajčák is the current Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Slovakia also currently holds the presidency of the Visegrad Group (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and will soon assume the chairmanship of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Contributo all’allargamento: bilancio positivo dopo 10 anni

19.06.2017 — Press releases Schweizer Beitrag
Il 14 giugno 2017 è scaduto il termine di attuazione di dieci anni del contributo svizzero all’allargamento ai dieci Paesi dell’Europa centrale e dell’Est entrati a far parte dell’UE nel 2004. La Svizzera ha realizzato complessivamente 210 progetti con il fondo di un miliardo di franchi approvato dal Parlamento, fornendo così un contributo solidale alla riduzione delle disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE.

Switzerland’s enlargement contribution rated highly

21.03.2016 — Press releases EDA
An independent evaluation has confirmed the federal authorities responsible have achieved good results in implementing Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the new EU member states. The in-depth assessment showed that the projects, of which there are some 300, are making a positive contribution towards promoting social and economic development in the 13 partner states. The objectives are being attained or even exceeded in the vast majority of projects. Various recommendations encourage further efficiency and greater thematic and geographic focus.

Swiss-EU relations at the focus of visit to Malta and Slovakia by the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

09.03.2016 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Didier Burkhalter, met with his Maltese counterpart George W. Vella on Wednesday in Valletta. The two foreign ministers mainly discussed the issue of Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the political situation in the Mediterranean region. The Federal Councillor then gave a speech at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies on mediation and Switzerland's policy of providing good offices.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Slovak foreign minister

25.06.2015 — Press releases EDA
On Thursday, 25 June 2015, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter received Slovakia ’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official visit to Switzerland. In addition to bilateral relations, the main agenda item was Switzerland’s policy on the European Union (EU). Slovakia will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2016. Talks also covered various regional and multilateral issues as well as current international affairs. Afterwards, Mr Lajčák paid the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, a courtesy visit.

Visegrad summit: Switzerland strengthens dialogue and cooperation with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary

09.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
At his meeting with Prime Ministers Robert Fico (Slovakia), Bohuslav Sobotka (Czech Republic), Ewa Kopacz (Poland) and Viktor Orban (Hungary) at the Visegrad summit in Bratislava, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, and his partners adopted a declaration providing for a regular exchange of views and seeking to promote the development of joint initiatives in areas such as education, research and economic cooperation. President Burkhalter also used his stay in Bratislava to hold bilateral talks with Slovakia's President, Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak.

Political talks, innovation and regional cooperation: Swiss President Didier Burkhalter visits Slovakia

08.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
On Tuesday 9 December 2014, President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter will take part in the summit of the Visegrad Group, which comprises Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary alongside Slovakia. The Visegrad countries will be represented in Bratislava by their prime ministers. In addition, Mr Burkhalter is to meet with Slovakian President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák for bilateral talks.

“It’s by talking with people from the local population that you see how effective development cooperation is“

29.09.2014 — Press releases Slovakia

Martin Dahinden served as head of the SDC from 2008 to 2014. At the end of September 2014, he leaves Switzerland to become the country’s new ambassador in Washington. In this interview, Martin Dahinden looks back on his years with the SDC, recalls personal highlights, talks about the changes in Swiss development cooperation over the years, and names future challenges.

Switzerland’s role in negotiations for a new development agenda: building bridges, influencing outcomes, offering concrete proposals

25.09.2014 — Press releases Slovakia

The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will expire in 2015. Switzerland is working with the international community towards developing new global development goals. Ambassador Michael Gerber, special representative for global sustainable development, is representing Switzerland at the international negotiations for the post-2015 development agenda. In this interview he looks back on the MDGs, highlights what is different about the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and talks about Switzerland’s position.

Un miliardo ben investito

05.06.2018 — Article Schweizer Beitrag
I dieci Paesi che hanno aderito all’Unione europea nel 2004 hanno concluso i progetti svolti nel quadro del contributo all’allargamento. La SECO e la DSC tracciano un bilancio e pubblicano i risultati nel rapporto annuale 2017. I progetti hanno notevolmente contribuito alla riduzione delle disparità sociali ed economiche in Europa. La Svizzera ha potuto apportare le proprie conoscenze specifiche in numerosi progetti.

Procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo svizzero

28.03.2018 — Article Schweizer Beitrag
In occasione della sua seduta del 28 marzo 2018 il Consiglio federale ha deciso di avviare la procedura di consultazione su un secondo contributo della Svizzera ad alcuni Stati dell’Unione europea, volto a ridurre, anche in futuro, le disparità economiche e sociali nell’UE. Le priorità tematiche di questo contributo, formazione professionale e migrazione, erano già state fissate dal Consiglio federale lo scorso anno

La Svizzera promuove il turismo in Slovacchia

03.07.2014 — Article Schweizer Beitrag

Il 28 giugno 2014 ha aperto ufficialmente i battenti in Slovacchia un centro d’informazione turistica che rappresenta il fulcro del progetto di sviluppo regionale nel Paese. Il centro si trova nel Parco nazionale del Paradiso slovacco (Slovenský raj), che attira ogni anno 700’000 visitatori. Scopo del progetto è promuovere il turismo in questa promettente regione e creare così nuovi posti di lavoro e nuove opportunità per la popolazione locale.

Un impegno da 67 milioni nella Repubblica slovacca

06.01.2014 — Article Schweizer Beitrag
Formazione, integrazione dei Rom, aiuto ai senzatetto, salvaguardia degli ecosistemi, gestione delle acque reflue: con un budget di 67 milioni di franchi, la cooperazione svizzera è impegnata su vari fronti nella Repubblica slovacca. Qui di seguito sono riportati alcuni progetti in corso al momento della visita in Svizzera del ministro degli affari esteri slovacco Miroslav Lajčák il 9 gennaio 2014.