A new Swiss–Albanian cooperation programme was launched today, with a budget of CHF 58 million to strengthen Albania’s democratic governance, economic development, and infrastructure services. Switzerland and Albania launched today a new phase of their bilateral cooperation programme for 2026–2028, marking more than 30 years of continuous Swiss–Albanian partnership. 

On behalf of the government of Albania, Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, emphasized: "In this new chapter, Albania's priorities are clear. We will continue to keep our political dialogue active, to further strengthen the Bern-Tirana cooperation axis. Albanian-Swiss cooperation can be further strengthened in areas of common interest, such as innovation, cybersecurity, tourism, vocational education and other sectors with high potential. I am convinced that this will be our common direction".

Didier Chassot, Head of the Europe and Middle East Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) highlighted the depth of the cooperation and its transition toward consolidation: “Switzerland remains committed to stand alongside Albania and support an inclusive, sustainable democracy. Our bilateral ties—technical dialogue, institutional twinning, people to people links, and economic cooperation—will continue beyond 2028, anchored in Albania’s progress and our shared European outlook.” Pietro Lazzeri, Head of Economic Cooperation and Development at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), underscored Switzerland’s continued commitment to Albania’s economic future: “Our objective is clear: a competitive, innovation-driven economy that creates quality jobs. 

Throughout the next three years and beyond we will support macroeconomic stability, strengthen financial sector oversight, improve the business climate and export capacity, and alignment with EU standards.” The new programme builds on the achievements of the 2022–2025 cooperation and covers three priority areas: inclusive governance, economic development and employment, and urban development and climate change. A special feature of the new programme will be institutional partnerships and twinning arrangements between Albanian and Swiss institutions, including federal offices of statistics, metrology, intellectual property, and MeteoSwiss. Ruth Huber, Swiss Ambassador in Albania, of Switzerland to Albania, welcomed participants and provided closing remarks, emphasizing the fast changes taking place in the country and the focus on building more ties. “In these coming years we will leverage something unique: direct institutional partnerships between Albanian authorities and Swiss federal competence centres – in water science, energy, statistics, metrology, intellectual property, and more”. Switzerland is one of Albania’s key bilateral development partners, with a track record spanning over three decades and a contribution of over 500 million Swiss francs in areas including democratic governance, local government reform, vocational education, macroeconomic support, and health. The cooperation is jointly implemented by two Swiss government agencies, SDC and SECO.