Since 2007, Switzerland has been participating in various projects designed to reduce the economic and social disparities in an enlarged EU, with CHF 1.302 billion
The legal basis for Switzerland’s contribution to EU enlargement can be found in the Federal Act of 24 March 2006 on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe
The Swiss contribution is an integral part of Swiss foreign policy on Europe which aims to consolidate Switzerland’s relations with the EU and its member states
For the EU, strengthening economic and social cohesion is a key concern. Switzerland is helping to overcome these challenges by making its own independent contribution.
The resources of the EU earmarked for its regional and cohesion policies for 2014–20 amount to more than EUR 350 billion. The three EFTA/EEA states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are contributing approximately EUR 2.8 billion for the period 2014-21.
Although the new EU member states are catching up, significant economic and social disparities remain. Average per capita income in these countries is still clearly below that of the other member states.
