Switzerland plans to strengthen Ukraine's economic development and long-term reconstruction over the next twelve years. This decision was made by the Swiss Federal Council at its meeting on April 10, 2024.
A total of 5 billion Swiss francs (over EUR 5 billion) is planned to be allocated for these purposes until 2036. As a first step, about 1.5 billion Swiss francs will be allocated from the international cooperation budget until 2028.
"This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will contribute to strengthening stability on the European continent," the Swiss Federal Council said.
It was recalled that Switzerland and Ukraine jointly launched a large-scale political recovery process at the Conference on Ukraine's Recovery in Lugano in July 2022. The 59 delegations of states and international organizations present agreed on the Luhansk Principles, which laid the cornerstones of the political recovery process.
To date, Switzerland has spent about 3 billion Swiss francs on these and other measures to support people affected by the war in Ukraine.
"Through the measures taken and planned on the ground, Switzerland is contributing to stability in Europe and reducing migration flows, and indirectly strengthening the security, prosperity and independence of Switzerland," the Federal Council states.
For the period of 2029-36, the Federal Council also intends to consider other sources (besides international cooperation) from which the remaining 3.5 billion Swiss francs to be allocated for the reconstruction of Ukraine could be obtained.
At today's meeting, the Federal Council also instructed the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Economy to develop a joint program for Ukraine, which will include appropriate oversight mechanisms.
"This program should provide targeted and effective support and be based on the seven Lugano principles: partnership, focus on reforms, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, democratic participation, multi-stakeholder engagement, gender equality and inclusiveness, and sustainability," the Federal Council explained.
