Switzerland pledges 2.1 billion lei to Moldova by 2028 to counter Ukraine war effects
Switzerland is committing an additional 2.1 billion lei to Moldova by 2028 as part of a new cooperation program designed to help the country address the challenges it has faced in recent years. Guido Beltrani, the director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova, stated that this new support will focus on initiatives to enhance social cohesion, governance, and public services, as well as strengthen the Republic of Moldova's resilience.
“The budget (approved in April this year - editor's note) is almost double that of previous periods, as the Republic of Moldova has been strongly affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine – from the influx of refugees to the increase in energy prices and inflation,” Guido Beltrani said on the “Dimensiunea Diplomatica” show on Moldova 1.
The Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova pointed out that the bilateral relationship has been constantly strengthened over the past 25 years, and Switzerland has become one of the country's most important development partners.
“We started our cooperation 25 years ago. At the beginning, we focused a lot on humanitarian aid and emergency responses, including those related to natural disasters. Later, the cooperation transformed and expanded to areas such as health, governance, migration, water and sanitation,” Guido Beltrani said on the public television station.
Water, sanitation and quality health services
One of the most visible results of this cooperation is improved access to basic services in rural areas, where investments have directly enhanced quality of life.
"Today, approximately 67 thousand people in rural areas have access to drinking water directly in their households, and over 22 thousand benefit from ecological sanitation systems, which reduce health risks and protect the environment," the Swiss official said.
He claims that Switzerland has also consistently invested in the health system, with an emphasis on prevention and primary care, including outside the big cities.
According to Beltrani, these investments have contributed to improving health indicators at the national level.
“We supported the creation and modernization of health centers in several regions of the Republic of Moldova and supported programs for the prevention, detection and treatment of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. All these interventions also contribute to reducing infant mortality,” said the Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova.
Support for refugees and households affected by price increases
After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Switzerland quickly adjusted its support to help the Republic of Moldova cope with the crisis's economic and social effects. The aid was directed both to refugees and to Moldovan citizens affected by price increases.
“We intervened to support refugees from Ukraine through financial aid and social and economic inclusion measures. At the same time, we supported vulnerable households and small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the increase in energy prices,” explained Guido Beltrani.
In economic terms, Swiss support focuses on developing small and medium-sized enterprises and increasing their competitiveness.
“We evaluate proposals according to their innovative potential, ability to meet market demands, export potential and willingness to co-finance investments. It is important that these enterprises are prepared to take risks and adopt new solutions”, the official said.
Another sensitive area of cooperation concerns justice and the recovery of illegally obtained assets. Switzerland supports the strengthening of the capacities of the institutions involved and the application of new legal mechanisms.
“The recovery of criminal assets is a process that requires time, expertise and international cooperation. Therefore, we invest in training personnel, in the development of practical tools and in the application of new laws, which are essential for this process”, Beltrani said.
"Switzerland supports a lasting peace in Ukraine"
According to him, Switzerland also remains involved in projects to strengthen social cohesion, including on both banks of the Nistru, relying on cooperation between communities and professionals.
"International cooperation cannot eliminate existing conflicts alone, but it can create bridges between people, facilitate dialogue and reduce the human and social costs of reintegration", the Swiss official emphasized, on Moldova 1.
Referring to the regional context, Guido Beltrani reiterated Switzerland's firm position on the war in Ukraine and its commitment to a lasting peace.
"Switzerland condemns in the strongest possible terms the aggression against Ukraine and supports a lasting peace that respects the principles of the UN Charter and territorial integrity", concluded the director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova.
The Republic of Moldova and Switzerland established diplomatic relations on September 2, 1992, immediately after the Republic of Moldova's proclamation of independence. Since 2000, Switzerland has been present in Chisinau through the Swiss Cooperation Office, which holds diplomatic status, becoming one of the country's prominent bilateral donors.
