Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tanczos Barna expressed his "firm" commitment to transforming into "tangible" results the five financing agreements signed on Thursday in Bucharest with the head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Counselor Ignazio Cassis, as part of the Romanian-Swiss Cooperation Program.
"Today we mark a new chapter in the Romanian-Swiss partnership, a partnership that has stood out over the years through remarkable results and a cooperation based on professionalism and joint goals. The Swiss contribution worth 221 million Swiss francs represents proof of the mutual trust and values we share. The Finance Ministry, as the National Coordination Unit, has the role of ensuring the consistent and efficient implementation of these agreements, facilitating the dialogue between all the actors involved and monitoring the impact of the programs. Of the total of 11 programs approved for financing through the second Swiss contribution in Romania, the National Coordination Unit has already signed the agreements on the support measures with the Swiss partners for four of them. The five agreements we sign today reflect a joint commitment to address essential challenges for Romania using the experience and available resources in a strategic and sustainable way," said Tanczos Barna.
He went on to detail that within the framework of the Dual Education Program implemented together with the Minister of Education and Research, through the National Center for the Development of Vocational and Technical Education, Romanian youth will be offered "the chance of quality vocational education directly connected to the demands of the labor market".
"Through the programs in the field of security and public safety, we cooperate with the Ministry of the Interior and the Justice Ministry to strengthen institutional capacities in preventing and combating crime. These two programs support the creation of a safer environment for all Romanian citizens, the rule of law and the protection of communities. In partnership with the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, we promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources within the framework of the 'Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy' Program. Through this cooperation we ensure that Romanian cities benefit from sustainable solutions, thus contributing to achieving climate goals and improving the quality of life. The program has four components involving investments in large cities, support for smaller and disadvantaged communities, the development of the technical and managerial capacity at the level of local authorities, and the exchange of best practices with Swiss partners," Tanczos Barna said, also stressing that, as a former environment minister, he likes this last program the most.
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that in co-work with the Health Ministry, through the Health Services Program, institutional capacities and measures for the prevention and treatment of addictions in children and adolescents will be strengthened through a dedicated program.
"Each of these initiatives based on the Romanian government's national priorities and strategies is the result of close cooperation with Swiss partners, both at central level and through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, as well as through the team of the Swiss Contribution Office of the Swiss Embassy in Bucharest. Let me note that our relationship with Swiss partners represents (...) the foundation of this program," Tanczos Barna emphasized.
The head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis said that through these agreements Switzerland expresses its friendship towards EU member states, getting involved in "the continent's cohesion and internal stability, despite not being an EU member."
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