"The Swiss cooperation programme in Albania will be readjusted and gradually reduced over the coming years. But it will not be closed or ended as some media reported," has said the Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber in an exclusive interview asked by Albanian Daily News on the news whereby Switzerland is cutting funds related to its cooperation programme with Albania.

According to her, Switzerland has been and will continue to be a long-term partner of Albania’s development. "Our development cooperation began in the early 1990-ies, expanding and strengthening over the years up to the current volume of around 25 million Swiss francs per year."

Asked if the budget reductions from Switzerland’s side was related to freezing of funds for several international development initiatives from the side of the US which makes many in Albania wonder if that decision is in any way related to Swiss performance or the lack of it, she said these are in no way related and come from very different reasons.

"In the case of Switzerland, the budget reductions are based on the Swiss Parliament’s decision which depends largely on the budget situation."

Ms. Huber said the bilateral relations between our two countries are very good and strong. "Over the past few years, we had excellent alignment of our policies in multilateral platforms," said the Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News:  Ambassador Huber, this past week the media circulated the news that

Switzerland is cutting funds related to its cooperation programme with Albania. Is this true and what do these budget cuts mean?

Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber: I am glad we can set the record straight on this. The Swiss cooperation programme in Albania will be readjusted and gradually reduced over the coming years. But it will not be closed or ended as some media reported. Switzerland’s support to Albania’s development comes from two development agencies: SDC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SECO from the Ministry of Economy, Education and Research.

The budget reduction announced last week concerns only the SDC-funded programmes, which will be gradually concluded by 2028. This does not affect the support provided to Albania through SECO which will continue.

- Has Switzerland’s aid and development cooperation policy changed?

- Every 4 years the Swiss Parliament discusses and approves the strategy and budget for Swiss development cooperation abroad. In its deliberations during 2024 the Parliament confirmed the International Cooperation Strategy for the period 2025-2028, and decided on budget cuts: 110 million Swiss francs in 2025 and additional 321 million in the financial plan for 2026-2028.

These cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion and support for Ukraine. Switzerland’s policy therefore has not fundamentally changed, but it needs to readjust. Switzerland has been and will continue to be a long-term partner of Albania’s development. Our development cooperation began in the early 1990-ies, expanding and strengthening over the years up to the current volume of around 25 million Swiss francs per year.

- In the context of the new Trump administration, we have seen the freezing of funds for several international development initiatives from the side of the US which makes many in Albania wonder if that decision is in any way related to our country’s performance or the lack of it. What prompted the upcoming budget reductions from Switzerland’s side?

- These are in no way related and come from very different reasons. In the case of Switzerland, the budget reductions are based on the Swiss Parliament’s decision which depends largely on the budget situation. The selection of countries to be supported with development funds is in turn driven by the actual needs on the ground, and the added value of Swiss support compared to that from other partner countries. The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) will also focus on themes and sectors where it can achieve the greatest results and where it has more expertise.

In Albania’s case Switzerland’s priorities also reflect the country’s significant progress toward European integration which eventually leads to new modalities in development cooperation. The readjustment and the gradual reduction of the budget therefore do not come from any lack of performance on the part of Albania, quite the opposite.

- How would you assess the current stage of Swiss-Albanian relations?

- The bilateral relations between our two countries are very good and strong. Over the past few years, we had excellent alignment of our policies in multilateral platforms.

Both Switzerland and Albania were members of the UN Security Council and this was an example of the high level of convergence between our values and priorities. Strengthening the relations between Switzerland and the Western Balkan region, including Albania, is an explicit goal of the Swiss Foreign Policy Strategy.  Switzerland values its long-standing partnership with Albania and looks forward to continued collaboration in key area of mutual interest.

- What will remain of the Swiss cooperation beyond 2028?

- Switzerland’s support to Albania will continue with a focus on economic development, infrastructure services and climate change. Our programmes funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will be active in macro-economic stability, strengthening financial institutions, an enabling business environment, private sector growth, and the green transition. An important focus will continue to lie on providing expertise from Swiss competence centers and establishing partnerships between Swiss and Albanian institutions. Our development support in Albania goes beyond mere funding and it has created partnerships and collaboration between institutions and that will continue. / ADN