Enlargement contributions for Bulgaria and Romania - Political declaration of intent signed

25.06.2008 — Article Schweizer Beitrag

Switzerland, along with the EU, signed the political declaration of intent in Brussels on Wednesday to support the two newest EU member states, Bulgaria and Romania. In it Switzerland set its enlargement contribution for the two states at CHF 257 million. This declaration in the form of an addendum to the existing memorandum of understanding has been made with a reservation pending approval of the contribution by the Swiss Parliament.

Contribution à l'élargissement en faveur de la Bulgarie et de la Roumanie: Entente avec l'UE sur les modalités

02.04.2008 — Article Schweizer Beitrag

Le Conseil fédéral prévoit d'apporter son soutien à la Roumanie et à la Bulgarie par une contribution à l'élargissement d'un montant de 257 millions de francs. Les négociateurs de la Suisse et de l'UE se sont entendus, ce mercredi, sur les modalités générales de cette contribution. Le texte convenu entre les deux parties détermine la clé de répartition ainsi que les domaines couverts par les programmes et les projets. Cet arrangement doit encore être approuvé par le Conseil fédéral. Il constitue une déclaration d'intention et n'est, juridiquement parlant, pas contraignant.

Contribution à l'élargissement en faveur de la Bulgarie et de la Roumanie

05.03.2008 — Article Schweizer Beitrag

Le Conseil fédéral entend soutenir les deux derniers Etats à avoir adhéré à l'UE, la Roumanie et la Bulgarie. La Suisse doit poursuivre son engagement à réduire les disparités économiques et sociales en Europe grâce à une nouvelle contribution à l'élargissement en faveur de ces deux pays. Celle-ci équivaudra, grosso modo, à l'aide qu'elle octroyait auparavant aux deux Etats. La Suisse va s'engager sur cinq ans à hauteur de 257 millions de francs pour des projets qu'elle avalisera elle-même. Les déboursements effectifs devraient s'échelonner sur une dizaine d'années. Cette contribution doit être approuvée par le Parlement sous forme de crédit-cadre et elle sera intégralement compensée sur le budget fédéral général.

Cooperation agreements and minorities: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on official visit to Romania

18.02.2025 — Press releases EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is scheduled to visit Romania from 19 to 21 February 2025. His agenda includes several bilateral meetings and the signing of cooperation agreements related to the second Swiss contribution to selected EU states. The theme of minorities will also be a common thread throughout the upcoming visit, with Mr Cassis taking part in a cultural event in Bucharest to mark the fifth edition of Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha) as well as in a debate in the city of Constanța on linguistic minorities.

Switzerland and Romania sign agreement on implementation of second Swiss contribution

12.12.2022 — Press releases EDA
On Monday, 12 December, President Ignazio Cassis met with President Klaus Werner Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă in Bucharest. President Cassis then signed an agreement on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution with Finance Minister Adrian Câciu. Under the agreement, Switzerland will provide CHF 221.5 million to finance various projects in Romania until 2029. Prior to visiting Bucharest, Mr Cassis had a working meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

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.

Switzerland's enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania comes to a close

20.01.2020 — Press releases EDA
Over the last ten years, Switzerland has provided CHF 257 million from its enlargement contribution to support projects in Bulgaria and Romania. The two countries joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. The contribution aimed to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and within Bulgaria and Romania. The 93 projects, which came to a close in December 2019, have achieved good results. Switzerland's support contributes to greater stability in Europe, which is also in the country's interests.

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

19.06.2017 — Press releases Schweizer Beitrag

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.

End of commitment period for enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania

08.12.2014 — Press releases EDA
The commitment period of the enlargement contribution for Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, ended on 7 December. In all, 13 thematic funds and 28 projects totalling CHF 257 million were approved. The Swiss commitment aims to eradicate social and economic disparities in the enlarged European Union (EU).

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

29.09.2014 — Press releases Romania

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 Romania

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.

Swiss budget for Syrians in desperate need increased by CHF 20 million

23.09.2014 — Press releases Romania

Bern, 23.09.2014 - To improve the desperate situation of people affected by the conflict in Syria, Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid has increased its support measures both for people in Syria and the over three million refugees in the neighbouring states. Switzerland’s budget since the start of the Syrian crisis totals CHF 105 million.

Switzerland takes further measures to fight the Ebola epidemic

23.09.2014 — Press releases Romania

Bern, 23.09.2014 - Switzerland is making an additional CHF 5 million available to support efforts to prevent the further spread of the Ebola epidemic and provide the people living in affected countries with the assistance they need. This announcement was made by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The contribution is intended to support Switzerland's multilateral partner organisations in the field of humanitarian aid in their activities in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, as well as its bilateral aid projects in Liberia.

Switzerland sends winter equipment for internally displaced persons in Northern Iraq

18.09.2014 — Press releases Romania

Bern, 18.09.2014 - Switzerland has decided to send relief aid to the greater Erbil area in Northern Iraq. The cargo consists primarily of cold weather tents intended to help people displaced by the war to survive the winter. Today, a specialist from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is flying to Erbil to prepare for distributing the aid. More specialists from the Swiss cooperation office in Amman will join him on the ground.

Launching event "Roma Voices" project

20.02.2026 — Local news Romania
The 20th February 2026 marked the 170th Anniversary of the abolition of the Roma slavery in Romanian Principalities. On this occasion, the Swiss Ambassador Massimo Baggi attended an event organised by the Roma Education Fund Romania, which has also been an opportunity to present the "Roma Voices" project, financed under the Social Inclusion Programme through the second Swiss Contribution to Romania. 

National Day of Mourning in Switzerland

09.01.2026 — Position Romania

Today, Switzerland observes a National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims of the tragic fire that occurred on 1 January in Crans-Montana.

9 January - Day of National Mourning for the victims of Crans-Montana fire

06.01.2026 — Position Romania
To commemorate the victims of the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, the Federal Council has declared Friday, 9 January 2026, a national day of mourning. An official ceremony will be held in Valais, and church bells will ring throughout Switzerland at 2 p.m. local time.

Tragic fire on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana

02.01.2026 — Position Romania
Switzerland is deeply shaken by the tragic fire on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana. 

Launching Conference of the Swiss-Romanian Health Programme in Bucharest

16.12.2025 — Local news Romania

On 16.12.2025, the Romanian Ministry of Health officially launched the Programme dedicated to the strengthening of prevention and access to treatment for children and adolescents suffering from addiction in Romania. This Programme is financed by the second Swiss Contribution to Romania. 

Signature of the Partnership Agreement between REGA - Romanian Ministry of Interior

05.12.2025 — Local news Romania

The Partnership Agreement has been signed at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Bucharest between the Swiss Air Rescue Service REGA and the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Department for Emergency Situations represented by Mr. Raed Arafat. This partnership aims to implement an initiative entitled "Air Rescue and Disaster Preparedness", which is part of the wider Swiss-Romanian Public Safety and Security - Internal Affairs Programme, funded by the second Swiss Contribution to Romania.

This partnership builds upon a long-standing cooperation in the air rescue area between Switzerland and Romania. 

Launching event of the Swiss-Romanian Justice Programme

03.12.2025 — Local news Romania
The launching conference for the Public Security and Safety - Justice Programme, funded by Switzerland's second contribution to Romania and managed by the Romanian Ministry of Justice as the Program Operator took place in Bucharest.

Launching event Swiss-Romanian Civic Engagement Programme

31.10.2025 — Local news Romania
On 28th October 2025, over 130 representatives from civil society organizations, diplomatic community, and public institutions gathered in Bucharest for the official launch of the Civic Engagement Programme, part of the Swiss–Romanian Cooperation Programme, financed under the second Swiss Contribution to Romania. 

Launching Event Multilateral Academic Projects - MAPS

22.10.2025 — Local news Romania
Organised by the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI), the launching event entitled „Research in the Spotlight: Making Ideas Visible”, took place on 13th October 2025 at the New Europe College in Bucharest. UEFISCDI is the Romanian partner in the specific component "Multilateral Academic Projects - MAPS" financed by the second Swiss Contribution to Romania, under the general programme Research & International Cooperation. 

Launching event Swiss-Romanian Social Inclusion Programme

30.06.2025 — Local news Romania
The launching event of the Swiss-Romanian Social Inclusion Programme took place at the ARCUB center in Bucharest. This programme is part of the second Swiss Contribution to Romania and focuses on most vulnerable communities. 

Launch of call - Research Programme Romania - second Swiss contribution

03.04.2024 — Local news Romania
In the context of the second Swiss contribution to Romania and its Research Programme, the Romanian Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI), as Partner of the Swiss National Science Foundation, announces the launch of the call for Multilateral Joint Research Projects - MAPS: Multilateral Academic Projects. 

Publication of the winning tenderer on SIMAP

18.03.2024 — Local news Romania
The Swiss contribution office (Embassy of Switzerland in Romania) is pleased to announce that the name of the winner of the open tender procedure for the preparation and implementation of the Civic Engagement Programme Romania has been published on the Swiss public procurement information system (SIMAP) website.