1 August 2015: Swiss military band plays in south-eastern Europe

22.07.2015 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Confederation will celebrate its 2015 National Day with Swiss nationals living in south-eastern Europe. At the initiative of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of the Armed Forces, Lt Gen André Blattmann, a small ensemble of 15 players from the Swiss Military Band, will provide the musical background for festivities at the embassies in Greece, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo.

Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia

30.06.2015 — Press release EDA
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.

Official visit to Bern by Croatian President Ivo Josipović

19.06.2014 — Press release EDA
On 19 June, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, paid an official visit to Bern. Talks between President Didier Burkhalter and the Croatian president focused on bilateral relations and policy on Europe. The President of the Swiss Confederation explained the Federal Council's plans for future relations between Switzerland and the EU to his counterpart and informed the president of the EU's latest member state of the Federal Council's decision to introduce quotas for the admission of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. The meeting was also attended by the Vice President of the Federal Council, Simonetta Sommaruga (FDJP).

Federal Council submits to Parliament dispatch on enlargement contribution to Croatia

28.05.2014 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has submitted to Parliament its dispatch on the approval of a framework credit for an enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million to Croatia. Switzerland's commitment in Croatia is in keeping with the policy it has pursued in recent years with regard to the countries of Eastern Europe to support them in their modernisation efforts. This policy is in Switzerland's economic interests, and not only strengthens relations with these countries, but also helps to create jobs. The Federal Council had announced the framework credit on 30 April 2014, when a corresponding addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU was adopted. Parliament has yet to approve the contribution. The money should then be committed to specific projects in Croatia by the end of May 2017.

New system for immigration: Federal Council discusses next steps

26.03.2014 — Press release EDA
On Wednesday, the Federal Council discussed next steps with regard to the various EU-policy dossiers, following the adoption of the "against mass immigration" initiative. It has mandated the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to enter into consultations with the European Union, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and in agreement with other departments concerned. In particular clarification must be obtained on how discrimination against Croatia can be avoided.

Swiss government names new Ambassadors

13.11.2013 — Press release EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) has approved the list of diplomatic staff transfers scheduled for 2014 submitted by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The changes will be made in accordance with the normal rate of transfers, to be communicated at the time of the decision by the Federal Council. The appointments of Heads of Mission take effect as soon as the authorities in the host country communicate their approval. The Federal Council takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Ambassadors due to retire for the services rendered.

No signing of Swiss–EU institutional agreement

26.05.2021 — Press release 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.

10 years of contribution to the enlarged EU: efforts pay off

19.06.2017 — Press release EB

The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU.

Switzerland helps Slovenia and Croatia to cope with refugee crisis

16.11.2015 — Press release EDA
Five SHA experts have been deployed to Slovenia and Croatia to help local organisations to cope with the refugee crisis. They are there to share their expertise, helping to adapt the existing infrastructure to the winter conditions and buying material locally. A lorry of relief supplies from Switzerland has already been unloaded in Slovenia. Switzerland mainly carries out activities to help the refugees and internally displaced people from the conflict in Syria and Iraq in the conflict region itself.

1 August 2015: Swiss military band plays in south-eastern Europe

22.07.2015 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Confederation will celebrate its 2015 National Day with Swiss nationals living in south-eastern Europe. At the initiative of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of the Armed Forces, Lt Gen André Blattmann, a small ensemble of 15 players from the Swiss Military Band, will provide the musical background for festivities at the embassies in Greece, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo.

Contribution to the enlarged EU: signing of bilateral framework agreement with Croatia

30.06.2015 — Press release EDA
On 30 June 2015 in Zagreb, Switzerland and Croatia signed the bilateral framework agreement which regulates the substance and implementation of the Swiss enlargement contribution to Croatia. Switzerland has allocated CHF 45 million to support projects in Croatia, in particular in the fields of water treatment, supply of drinking water, research and vocational education and training.

Official visit to Bern by Croatian President Ivo Josipović

19.06.2014 — Press release EDA
On 19 June, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, paid an official visit to Bern. Talks between President Didier Burkhalter and the Croatian president focused on bilateral relations and policy on Europe. The President of the Swiss Confederation explained the Federal Council's plans for future relations between Switzerland and the EU to his counterpart and informed the president of the EU's latest member state of the Federal Council's decision to introduce quotas for the admission of Croatian citizens to the Swiss labour market. The meeting was also attended by the Vice President of the Federal Council, Simonetta Sommaruga (FDJP).

Federal Council submits to Parliament dispatch on enlargement contribution to Croatia

28.05.2014 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has submitted to Parliament its dispatch on the approval of a framework credit for an enlargement contribution of CHF 45 million to Croatia. Switzerland's commitment in Croatia is in keeping with the policy it has pursued in recent years with regard to the countries of Eastern Europe to support them in their modernisation efforts. This policy is in Switzerland's economic interests, and not only strengthens relations with these countries, but also helps to create jobs. The Federal Council had announced the framework credit on 30 April 2014, when a corresponding addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU was adopted. Parliament has yet to approve the contribution. The money should then be committed to specific projects in Croatia by the end of May 2017.

New system for immigration: Federal Council discusses next steps

26.03.2014 — Press release EDA
On Wednesday, the Federal Council discussed next steps with regard to the various EU-policy dossiers, following the adoption of the "against mass immigration" initiative. It has mandated the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to enter into consultations with the European Union, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and in agreement with other departments concerned. In particular clarification must be obtained on how discrimination against Croatia can be avoided.

Swiss government names new Ambassadors

13.11.2013 — Press release EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) has approved the list of diplomatic staff transfers scheduled for 2014 submitted by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The changes will be made in accordance with the normal rate of transfers, to be communicated at the time of the decision by the Federal Council. The appointments of Heads of Mission take effect as soon as the authorities in the host country communicate their approval. The Federal Council takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Ambassadors due to retire for the services rendered.

Upgrading water infrastructure in Croatia's karst mountains

02.02.2021 — Article EB
Switzerland is helping to upgrade the drinking-water and sewerage infrastructure in Croatia's mountain region of Gorski Kotar in the north-west. The aim of the project is to reduce water loss and connect more homes to the sewerage system. This contributes to water conservation and economic development in the region.

Supporting innovation in Croatia

22.01.2021 — Article EB
Innovation is an important factor in countries' economic development. However, government spending for research and development is often limited. In Croatia, Switzerland provides promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with support for the launch and development of innovative new projects. Five SMEs have succeeded in obtaining funding from the European Eurostars programme with Switzerland's support.

Video message of the President Sommaruga

11.07.2020 — Croatia
Watch the video message of the Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga on the occasion of the commemoration for Srebrenica victims

Road safety: Croatian project partners visit Switzerland

02.12.2019 — Article EB
A study visit by a Croatian delegation to explore road safety in Switzerland has been successfully completed. Swiss partner organisation Pro Velo along with researchers and transport policy experts all contributed actively to the success of the project with their specialist input. During the visit, Switzerland highlighted how its contribution to the enlarged EU played a significant role and valuable contacts were established.

2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU

08.05.2019 — Article EB
The 2018 annual report on Switzerland's contribution to the enlarged EU presents the results achieved in the last three remaining country programmes that are still under way: mine clearance in Croatia, the promotion of SMEs in Romania and the delivery of decommissioned trams from Basel to Bulgaria. Parliament is currently deciding on the future of the enlargement contribution. In principle, it has approved a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states.

Funding and support programme for Croatian SMEs

04.02.2019 — Article EB
By contributing to the Croatian Eurostars programme, Switzerland supports international research and development undertaken by Croatian SMEs in cooperation with European partners. Successful applicants can use the funding to develop innovative products, processes and services and launch them on the market. Eurostars projects also help create new jobs.

In Croatia's woods 3,585 mines have been defused

20.12.2018 — Article EB
Mines and other explosive remnants of war are a dangerous legacy from Croatia's 1991–96 war and compromise the safety of the local people. Integrating mine victims economically and socially is a challenge for Croatian society. Switzerland's demining project under its enlargement contribution aims to improve life quality for people living in mined areas.

One billion well invested

05.06.2018 — Article EB
The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribution. SECO and the SDC have taken stock of the last decade and published the results in their 2017 annual report. The projects have made a significant contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe. Switzerland was also able to use its expertise to make a meaningful contribution to a number of projects.

Consultation on a second Swiss contribution

28.03.2018 — EB
At its meeting on 28 March 2018, the Federal Council decided to initiate the consultation procedure on a second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. With this contribution, Switzerland aims to continue to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU member states. Last year, the Federal Council set two priorities for this contribution: vocational education and training and migration.