11/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Barroso calls for Swiss financial support. President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso wants the European Union and Switzerland to begin discussions as soon as possible on a Swiss financial contribution to Croatia, according to a letter from Barroso to the Swiss president, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf on 21 December. This letter was made public on 10 January by the Swiss minister for foreign affairs. The Swiss confederation is already helping the countries of Central and Eastern Europe which joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 - to the tune of €1 billion so far. This aid expires in June 2013 and the EU would like this generous solidarity to be continued. Barroso wants these issues to be addressed at the meeting between EU representatives and Switzerland on 29 January. (CG/transl.fl)