Switzerland signs a cooperation agreement with Kosovo

On Wednesday, 6 October 2010, the Swiss Ambassador in Kosovo, Lukas Beglinger, and the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Skender Hyseni, signed an agreement in Pristina on technical and financial cooperation, and humanitarian aid. The aim of the cooperation is to promote political, economic and social reforms in Kosovo.  

Special priority is being given to consolidating implementation of the rule of law, strengthening municipalities and their umbrella association, and supporting the development of civil society, as well as the construction of sustainable infrastructure, in particular in the fields of water supply, support for the private sector and vocational training. The overall aim is to support the transformation process in Kosovo, which Switzerland considers to be strongly in its interests due to its close relationhip with Kosovo.  

Switzerland recognised Kosovo as an independent state on 27 February 2008. The new bilateral agreement replaces the Umbrella Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the interim UN administration, UNMIK, in 2000. As of now, cooperation with Kosovo will be based on principles and conditions that have been agreed directly with the Kosovar authorities.   

Contact / Questions:

FDFA Information Tel. +41 31 322 31 53 

Jean-Luc Bernasconi, SECO, deputy-head, Economic Cooperation and Development,  Tel. +41 31 324 08 18.

Further information:

Switzerland’s commitment to Kosovo

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research