Switzerland to shift its help to the former Soviet Block

Now Switzerland is also turning its gaze towards countries which once belonged to the now defunct Soviet Union. Switzerland must define its priorities before it invests its money, said Remo Gautschi, Vice Director of the Management for Development and Co-operation (DEZA) organisation. Currently, Switzerland is concentrating its help efforts in South-east Europe. South-east Europe is facing bigger problems today than Central Europe; the population needs to recover from war. Over the next five years, DEZA and the State Economic Secretary (SECO) want to invest around SFr. 50 million in Yugoslavia. Switzerland would also like to increase its efforts in countries of the former Soviet Union; it is already active in the Ukraine. However a budget of SFr. 4 million per year has not yet been granted. According to Dagmar Vogel, the spokesperson for the project finance section of SECO, investments in such countries are difficult without confirmation of clear reforms.

(news.ch)