Brussels, 27/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday the Commission welcomed the decision by the Swiss people to make a financial contribution of half a billion Swiss francs (€640 million) over five years to improve the economic and social development of the ten new Member States of the European Union. José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission stated in a press release “I welcome this decision by the Swiss people. This decision is also in its own interest. The Swiss already benefit from privileged access to the Union's internal market and consequently each enlargement of the European Union has benefited Switzerland”. The Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that the Swiss had showed their willingness to take responsibility for peace in Europe, as well as for economic and social development in the new Member States.
In Mark 2006, the Swiss parliament adopted a federal law as a legal basis for financial aid. However, a referendum was called for by Swiss citizens to validate this law. 53.4% of Swiss people voted in favour. The Swiss press interprets this vote as a strengthening of the Swiss people's desire to continue down the bilateral road as a mechanism for determining EU/Swiss relations. (mb)