Switzerland to contribute for rare diseases building and voluntary return centre

The Republic of Cyprus and the Swiss Confederation have signed two agreements in Nicosia for the latter's contribution of about €3.2 million for the construction of a building for rare diseases and a voluntary return centre.

An official announcement states that the agreements were signed on 15 May as part of the Second Swiss Contribution 2019-2029.

The first agreement concerns the construction of a building for rare diseases, which provides for a contribution of CHF 2. 0 million (approximately €2.1 million).

"The grant will cover the cost of building a specialised center for rare diseases, which will provide holistic, integrated psychosocial support and disease management to people living with rare diseases and their families," the announcement notes.

The second agreement concerns the operation of a voluntary return centre of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) of Greece in cooperation with the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus. The agreement provides for a contribution of CHF 1. 05 million (approximately €1.1 million).

"The grant will contribute to the construction of accommodation facilities for asylum seekers wishing to return to their countries of origin," the announcement says.

The agreements were signed by Acting Director General of the Directorage General for Development of the Ministry of Finance Andreas Zachariades and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Cyprus Christoph Burgener, it adds.

The agreements are part of the two Framework Agreements signed between the two countries. One aims at Reducing Economic and Social Disparities in the European Union, for the amount of CHF 5. 2 million (approximately €5. 4 million), while the second Framework Agreement, amounting to CHF 10. 0 million (approx. €10.4 million) provides for the support of measures in the field of Migration.

These grants are given under the Second Swiss Contribution 2019-2029 and additional funds are expected to be made available for the Migration sector soon.

(Source: CNA)