Swiss Ambassador Stefano Lazzarotto promoted Thursday his country's 2013-2016 Cooperation Strategy for Macedonia.
The new Cooperation Strategy 2013-2016 is rooted in the spirit of the agreements of cooperation between the governments of Switzerland and Macedonia and was developed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in close consultation with Macedonian government offices and partners such as the civil society. It represents a strong commitment to continue supporting the economic, social and political transition processes in Macedonia, building on Switzerland's long-term presence in Macedonia and earlier achievements.
Over the years, Swiss-Macedonian cooperation has grown. Today Switzerland is the sixth largest development partner of Macedonia.
The new Strategy focuses on three thematic domains: Economy, Water, Governance & Decentralisation.
Switzerland has relevant expertise in all three domains and is confident that it can make an effective contribution to the further development of Macedonia. The foreseen financial commitments for the period 2013-2016 amount to 85 million Swiss francs.
Vice-Premier for European Affairs Fatmir Besimi and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Abdilaqim Ademi attended the document's promotion.
