On December 8, 2021, the presentation of the Swiss Cooperation Program for the South Caucasus Region 2022-2025 was held.
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arthur Martirosyan, Deputy Ministers of Economy, Finance, Environment, Labor and Social Affairs, Justice, senior officials; Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia Stefan Kloetzli, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia and Equally Deputy Regional Director of Swiss Cooperation South Caucasus, Werner Thut participated in the hybrid even.
Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia Werner Thut warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of friendly relations between the Republic of Armenia and Switzerland. The Deputy Ambassador briefly presented the history of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the results achieved over the years, investment programs in various sectors, noting also that 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Swiss Confederation.
The Swiss Cooperation Program for the South Caucasus Region 2022-2025 confirmed Switzerland's commitment to contribute to the formation of a peaceful, inclusive and strong society in the region. The program outlines the objectives that Switzerland's international cooperation aims to achieve in the South Caucasus. Werner Thut noted that the program budget in Armenia will double amounting to more than 20 million Swiss francs (CHF) over the next four years.
In the core of this program, the key areas of cooperation are:
- promoting civic engagement and cooperation in the region,
- strengthening democracy and public institutions,
- improving economic development and creation of decent jobs,
- strengthening climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
The program pays particular attention to regional cooperation.
The Swiss Cooperation Program envisages investments in almost all the regions, aimed at overcoming poverty and developing the capacity of the population. Poverty reduction will be considered as a key requirement in all Swiss funded programs implemented in the South Caucasus region. Much attention will also be paid to issues related to migration, gender equality, the digitization process and the media. All these actions will be based on more than 30 years of Swiss activity in Armenia.
After the presentation of the above-mentioned program, the participants addressed a number of issues: poverty eradication, recovery of the state economy after the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in 2020, return of prisoners of war, climate change, education, especially vocational, cultural programs implemented within the framework of cooperation, etc. W. Thut stated that more than 73 cultural programs have been implemented in Armenia so far through the efforts of the Swiss Cooperation Program.
After the presentation of the above-mentioned program, the participants addressed a number of issues: poverty eradication, recovery of the state economy after the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in 2020, return of prisoners, climate change, education, especially secondary vocational, cultural programs implemented within the framework of cooperation, etc.
It was noted that Switzerland, being one of the top 15 countries investing in Armenia, will continue its mission for the benefit of the country's prosperity and the establishment of democratic institutions.
