Between 2007 and 2017, Switzerland contributed CHF 63.5 million to the successful implementation of 23 projects in Slovakia.
Slovak Republic – A partner country for Switzerland’s contribution to EU enlargement

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Figures relating to Switzerland’s contribution to EU enlargement: | |
Switzerland’s contribution: | 67 mio CHF (2007-2012) |
EU-Funds: | 11,6 bn Euro (2007-2013) 14,0 bn Euro (2014-2020) |
General information about the country: | |
Population: | 5.4 mio |
Area: | 49 000 km² |
Growth rate (% of GDP): | 3.4% |
Swiss exports to the Slovak Republic: | 574.0 mio CHF |
Swiss imports from the Slovak Republic: | 948.6 mio CHF |
Purchasing power with regard to the EU average: | 77% |
Unemployment rate: | 8.1% |
Source: Eurostat, Swiss Foreign Trade Statistics (june 2018) |
Focus Areas
In addition to the thematic focus, part of the enlargement contribution is also to be geographically concentrated. The region "Eastern Slovakia" (Presov and Kosice) are vested with priority. With a per capita gross domestic product lying at approx. 35% of the EU-25 average, these regions boast the lowest development indicators in the Slovak Republic. At least 40% of the enlargement contribution to the Slovak Republic is to go to the benefit of these regions either directly or indirectly.
Documents (13)
Results country programmes in EU-12 countries

Promoting renewable energy, creating employment and strengthening civil society: the final review of Switzerland's enlargement contribution summarises the results of the Swiss-backed projects.
Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. 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.
The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.
Un seul monde 1/2003

La sécurité parle développement :Vaincre la peur enréduisant la pauvreté /Pakistan : peu de chance pour lapluralité et le chaos d’une démocratie /Kosovo : reportage dans la villedivisée de Mitrovica
Un seul monde 2/1999

Migrations et coopérationau développement –Ils sont 100 millions à vivre loin de chez eux:contexte, faits, histoire, opinionset ébauches de solutions /Bolivie:Portrait d’un pays andin qui luttesans relâche pour un avenir meilleur /Migrations controversies:Un débat sur la qualité et la quantitéde l’engagement suisse
Boosting research in ten EU member states

Partnership funds in the new EU member states

NGO fund in twelve EU member states

Connecting structurally weak regions to the sewer network

Switzerland supports a dual vocational education and training system geared to the labour market in Slovakia

Projects promoting social inclusion of the Roma people and other disadvantaged groups in four EU member states

EU enlargement contribution for the Slovak Republic

News (17)
Official talks with Slovakian foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák
09.01.2014 Press release
After taking part in the cantonal governments' annual seminar in Interlaken, President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter met the Slovakian foreign minister, Miroslav Lajčák, for an official working lunch. The discussions centred on bilateral relations, relations with the EU, the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and international issues.
CHF 67 million committed to the Slovak Republic
06.01.2014 Article
Training, Roma integration, help for the homeless, conservation of ecosystems, waste-water management... With a budget of CHF 67 million, Switzerland is active in a number of areas in the Slovak Republic. On the occasion of the official visit to Switzerland of the Slovak minister of foreign affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, on 9 January 2014, below are some examples of ongoing projects.
Bratislava: The Head of the FDFA meets with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic
14.08.2013 Press release
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter is travelling to Slovakia on Thursday, 15 August 2013, for a working visit, during which he will in particular be meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajcak. Some of the principal items on the discussion agenda include Switzerland’s relations with the European Union, the Swiss 2014 Chairmanship of the OSCE, the Swiss contribution to EU enlargement, and cooperation in the issuing of visas.
Switzerland
31.05.2013 Press release
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.
Official visit of the President of Slovakia
10.09.2012 Press release
President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf received the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič in Bern on an official visit. President Gašparovič was accompanied by the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, who met his opposite number Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter for a working meeting. Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann met the Slovak Minister for Economic Affairs Tomáš Malatinský, who was also part of the official delegation.
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The Swiss contribution in brief
Information on Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU: a brief presentation including project examples.
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Publications (5)
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Results country programmes in EU-12 countries

Promoting renewable energy, creating employment and strengthening civil society: the final review of Switzerland's enlargement contribution summarises the results of the Swiss-backed projects.
Swiss Enlargement Contribution: Annual Report 2017

The ten countries that joined the EU in 2004 have completed their projects under the enlargement contribu-tion. 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.
The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.
Un seul monde 1/2003

La sécurité parle développement :Vaincre la peur enréduisant la pauvreté /Pakistan : peu de chance pour lapluralité et le chaos d’une démocratie /Kosovo : reportage dans la villedivisée de Mitrovica
Un seul monde 2/1999

Migrations et coopérationau développement –Ils sont 100 millions à vivre loin de chez eux:contexte, faits, histoire, opinionset ébauches de solutions /Bolivie:Portrait d’un pays andin qui luttesans relâche pour un avenir meilleur /Migrations controversies:Un débat sur la qualité et la quantitéde l’engagement suisse
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