Switzerland supports Slovakia with 44.2 million Swiss francs

Switzerland and Slovakia have signed a bilateral agreement on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. Under the terms of the agreement, Switzerland will support Slovakia with 44.2 million Swiss francs. The money will be used to fund programs in vocational training, sustainable tourism and health. These are areas in which “Switzerland can offer a clear added value based on its experience and expertise”, according to a statement from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

One of the goals is to adapt vocational training to the needs of the private sector. The educational offering will be structured in a more accessible and flexible manner. In the field of tourism, sustainable concepts will be developed in and around national parks and protected areas. In the health sector, Switzerland will work with Slovakia to strengthen the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and promote health.

The signing of the agreement means that all bilateral implementation agreements for Switzerland's second cohesion contribution are now under wraps, writes SECO in the statement. The necessary basis now exists with all 13 EU partner states to develop the agreed programmes in detail and implement them by the end of 2029. With the cohesion contribution, Switzerland is strengthening and deepening bilateral relations with EU partner countries and the EU as a whole. ce/ssp