Switzerland’s commitment to humanitarian aid, peacebuilding efforts, and support for Ukraine will remain unaffected by the cuts.
The Federal Council, Switzerland's executive body, was notified of the cuts to international cooperation on Wednesday. As a result, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will end its bilateral development programmes with Albania, Bangladesh and Zambia by the end of 2028.
In what comes as a double blow to Bangladesh, the Swiss government also decided to cut foreign aid to Dhaka following Trump's action to halt support for the South Asian country. The decision will also impact two other countries—Albania and Zambia.
New legislation passed in January requires Italian appeals courts to approve the detention of asylum seekers rather than special immigration services.
An Italian navy ship has arrived in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centers
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first attempt to have asylum seekers held for assessment overseas was immediately blocked by judges. Now another is underway.
These reductions will affect bilateral, economic, and thematic cooperation, as well as multilateral organisations
The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.
Italy resumed transferring migrants to processing centers in Albania, media reports said Tuesday. An Italian Navy ship, Cassiopea, arrived early at the Albanian port of Shengjin carrying 49 migrants rescued during the weekend from international waters south of Lampedusa,
Italian navy ship drops off 49 migrants in Albania despite previous court rejections - Giorgia Meloni’s Italian government is looking to relocate migrants to Albania in a contentious plan
This morning, the Italian Navy vessel Cassiopea docked at the port of Shengjin, Albania, carrying 49 migrants intercepted in international waters. This event marks a further chapter in the complex issue of immigration in the Mediterranean,