Energy, public safety, dual vocational education and training and health: these five Swiss-Romanian cooperation agreements signed during Mr Cassis' recent visit are part of Switzerland's second contribution to selected EU states – from which a total of CHF 221.5 million has been allocated to Romania – and have resulted in specific programmes through which various Swiss institutions, including Fedpol and the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, are partnering with Romania. "I am convinced that the strong ties between our two countries will enable us to meet the many challenges we face on the European continent, particularly thanks to the cooperation programmes. Our contributions in Romania and in Europe serve stability and prosperity of Europe and Switzerland," emphasised Mr Cassis.
During his meetings with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu, Finance Minister Barna Tánczos and Minister for Education, Research and Innovation, Daniel David, Mr Cassis discussed projects in connection with the second contribution as well as the conflict and reconstruction of Ukraine, particularly in light of the strategic geographical position of Romania, which is also one of Ukraine's neighbours. In addition, he recalled Switzerland's commitments in this area, namely the 2025–28 Ukraine programme adopted by the Federal Council on 12 February 2025. With regard to the European dossier, Mr Cassis went on to address the substantive completion of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, through which the Swiss government intends to stabilise and develop the bilateral path with the EU.
Romansh in Bucharest
The theme of minorities was also one of the focal points of Mr Cassis' trip to Romania. On 20 February 2025, he took part in a cultural event in Bucharest organised by the Swiss embassy in Romania and the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, alongside Minister of Labour Simona Bucura-Oprescu, and Councillor of State of the Canton of Graubünden Jon Domenic Parolini. This multilingual and multicultural evening celebrating plurality was part of the fifth edition of Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha). "The more uncertainty and instability there is in the world, the more crucial it is to take care of a country's identity, in all its aspects, and to remember the value of dialogue, of listening to those who are different from us," said Mr Cassis in his speech.
The official visit ended with a meeting with the local authorities in the port of Constanța, on the Black Sea, where Mr Cassis took part in a debate on the importance of minority languages for regional development. The region is home to several minorities, including Turks, Tartars and Roma. In total, 20 minorities are recognised in Romania.
Further information:
Allocuzione Bucarest, 20.02.2025
Address Constanța, 21.02.2025
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Romania
News article: Celebrating the 5th edition of Emna rumantscha in Romania
Address for enquiries:
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Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
