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.

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.

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.

State Secretary in the Baltic States

22.05.2015 — Local news Estonia

State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch travelled to the Baltic states from 18 to 22 May. Her itinerary included three projects that Switzerland is supporting through its enlargement contribution.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, will visit Germany and Estonia on Monday

22.08.2014 — Press release EDA
Mr Didier Burkhalter will travel to Berlin and Tallinn on Monday at the invitation of the German and Estonian foreign affairs ministers, Mr Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mr Urmas Paet. He will address the ambassadors from these two countries. The day’s agenda will also include breakfast with Mr Steinmeier followed by meetings with the Estonian minister of foreign affairs and Prime Minister Taavi Roivas.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Estonian foreign minister

19.09.2013 — Press release EDA
Today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has received the foreign minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, for talks in Bern. Both ministers described relations between Estonia and Switzerland as very good. In addition to bilateral issues, the talks focused above all on the EU policy and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014.

Switzerland

31.05.2013 — Press release EDA
More than 200 projects are now being implemented as part of the enlargement contribution. At the annual conference of Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe on 31 May 2013 in Bern, government representatives and experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the importance and the impact of these projects. About 750 people took part in the annual conference in the Hotel National, an exceptionally high turnout.

Estonia: New Equipment for Children’s Hospital and Forensic Institute

28.01.2011 — Article EB

On 26 January 2011, the Tallinn Children’s Hospital received the new automated gait orthosis “Pediatric Lokomat”. This apparatus, co-financed with the funds of the Swiss Enlargement Contribution, is meant to help children with neurological illnesses and injuries improve their ability to walk. On the same day, the new Estonian Forensic Science Institute in Tallinn, in which equipment financed by Switzerland has been installed for use, was officially inaugurated.

Two Swiss drug experts visit Estonia

28.09.2010 — Article EB

From 13 to 15 September 2010, Swiss drug specialists from the fields of research, medicine, psychiatry and the penal system visited Estonia. The visit was accompanied and coordinated by the Estonian Ministry of Finance, the Swiss Enlargement Contribution Office in Riga, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Federal Office of Health (FOH).

Switzerland supports the Fight against Crime in Estonia

15.06.2009 — Article EB

On 28 May 2009, within the scope of the Swiss Enlargement contribution, a project agreement was signed in Tallinn, Estonia, for the provision of support both to the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and to other criminal prosecution authorities in Estonia. The Swiss contribution of CHF 3.5 million is intended to finance the procurement of modern technical equipment, an enhanced data exchange system, and the organization of training courses.

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.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, will visit Germany and Estonia on Monday

22.08.2014 — Press release EDA
Mr Didier Burkhalter will travel to Berlin and Tallinn on Monday at the invitation of the German and Estonian foreign affairs ministers, Mr Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mr Urmas Paet. He will address the ambassadors from these two countries. The day’s agenda will also include breakfast with Mr Steinmeier followed by meetings with the Estonian minister of foreign affairs and Prime Minister Taavi Roivas.

Official working visit to Switzerland by the Estonian foreign minister

19.09.2013 — Press release EDA
Today, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has received the foreign minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, for talks in Bern. Both ministers described relations between Estonia and Switzerland as very good. In addition to bilateral issues, the talks focused above all on the EU policy and Switzerland’s chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014.

Switzerland

31.05.2013 — Press release EDA
More than 200 projects are now being implemented as part of the enlargement contribution. At the annual conference of Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe on 31 May 2013 in Bern, government representatives and experts from Switzerland and abroad discussed the importance and the impact of these projects. About 750 people took part in the annual conference in the Hotel National, an exceptionally high turnout.

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.

State Secretary in the Baltic States

22.05.2015 — Local news Estonia

State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch travelled to the Baltic states from 18 to 22 May. Her itinerary included three projects that Switzerland is supporting through its enlargement contribution.

Estonia: New Equipment for Children’s Hospital and Forensic Institute

28.01.2011 — Article EB

On 26 January 2011, the Tallinn Children’s Hospital received the new automated gait orthosis “Pediatric Lokomat”. This apparatus, co-financed with the funds of the Swiss Enlargement Contribution, is meant to help children with neurological illnesses and injuries improve their ability to walk. On the same day, the new Estonian Forensic Science Institute in Tallinn, in which equipment financed by Switzerland has been installed for use, was officially inaugurated.

Two Swiss drug experts visit Estonia

28.09.2010 — Article EB

From 13 to 15 September 2010, Swiss drug specialists from the fields of research, medicine, psychiatry and the penal system visited Estonia. The visit was accompanied and coordinated by the Estonian Ministry of Finance, the Swiss Enlargement Contribution Office in Riga, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Federal Office of Health (FOH).

Switzerland supports the Fight against Crime in Estonia

15.06.2009 — Article EB

On 28 May 2009, within the scope of the Swiss Enlargement contribution, a project agreement was signed in Tallinn, Estonia, for the provision of support both to the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and to other criminal prosecution authorities in Estonia. The Swiss contribution of CHF 3.5 million is intended to finance the procurement of modern technical equipment, an enhanced data exchange system, and the organization of training courses.