Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
Since 2007, Switzerland has participated in various projects designed to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU. Switzerland decides itself which projects to support and negotiates this directly with the partner countries. Switzerland's engagement in this respect is an expression of solidarity and strengthens the basis for solid economic and political relations with the EU and its member states.
The EU's eastward expansion has increased the number of member states from 15 to 28 between 2004 and 2007. However, there is an economic and social gap between the old and new EU member states. The EU allocates around 30% of its total budget on reducing this gap.
Switzerland's contribution demonstrates its solidarity in this effort. However, the Swiss funds do not flow into the EU budget. Instead, Switzerland, together with the partner countries, decides autonomously which projects to support, which are then implemented directly in those countries. The EU and its member states are our most important partners both in economic and political terms. Therefore, the positive economic and social development of the EU member states also benefits Switzerland.
