Swiss ambassador to Pristina, Jean-Hubert Lebet (left) and Skender Reçica, Kosovo's labour and social welfare minister, signed the document in Pristina.
SRF-SWI
Switzerland and Kosovo have agreed to resume the payment of old age and disability pensions suspended eight years ago amid cases of fraud.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch with SRF and SDA-ATS; urs
Currently an estimated 50,000 people from Kosovo who used to work in Switzerland can’t receive their social security payments if they return to their country of origin in southeast Europe.
Representatives from the Kosovo government and the Swiss ambassador to Pristina on Friday signed an accord which provides the resumption of payments and measures to combat fraud, according to a statement by the Swiss interior ministry.
The accord, which is subject to approval by the parliaments in both countries, is set to come into force next year. The Swiss government approved the agreement in March.
Following the military conflict between Serbia and its southern province of Kosovo in the late 1990s, Switzerland has become sponsor of aid, reconstruction and stabilisation programmes in the Balkan state. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008.
Beside Germany, Switzerland has been a popular destination for emigrants over the past decade. An estimated 350,000 Kosovars have settled in Switzerland.
More
More
Daily life in Kosovo
This content was published on
On February 17, 2008, the former Serbian province of Kosovo declared its independence. The Swiss government was one of the first to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. Ethnic Albanians make up 92 per cent of the population of 2.2 million, but Serbs still dominate the north of the country.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
US says Switzerland at ‘front of queue’ for trade deal
This content was published on
Switzerland's good offices between the US and China appear to have been positive for its own trade deal talks with the US.
Zurich council insists on Bührle art collection provenance research
This content was published on
The Zurich Cantonal Council has insisted that the Zurich Art Society and the Bührle Foundation clarify the provenance of all paintings.
Kosovo President to make first state visit to Switzerland
This content was published on
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu is coming to Switzerland on a state visit at the invitation of the federal government.
Basel authorities clarify threatening gestures against Israel at Eurovision
This content was published on
The Basel cantonal police are investigating the alleged threatening behaviour of an anti-Israel demonstrator at the Eurovision parade.
Swiss army tests weapons systems for long-range defence
This content was published on
The Swiss army is examining the acquisition of weapons systems and ammunition to defend the country's borders over longer distances.
Trump’s promise to lower drug prices rattles Swiss pharma stocks
This content was published on
US President Trump wants to make medicines cheaper in the US, which could mean huge losses for drugmakers, including those in Switzerland.
Trial opens in Switzerland for murder case of school caretaker
This content was published on
The trial of a man who allegedly killed a 41-year-old man with three shots in the Maggia Valley in May 2023 begins on Monday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Trying to make Kosovo work
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of the countries trying to help create jobs in Kosovo and stop people leaving in droves in search of better lives abroad.
This content was published on
As of April 1, Kosovars have been unable to have their retirement and disability insurance payments sent to Kosovo. Instead, the workers must remain in Switzerland to receive those funds. The Swiss government cancelled the payments over concerns of fraud and abuse, which prompted an inquiry in 2008. It failed after investigators received death threats.…
This content was published on
Accords with countries in the former Yugoslavia and with Turkey that govern payments to disabled workers once employed in Switzerland would also be renegotiated, Interior Minister Didier Burkhalter said. Switzerland pays pensions to roughly 59,000 people living abroad. About 43,000 of those are European Union nationals. A few hundred of payments go to people in…
This content was published on
The Federal Social Security Office believes the overall rate of abuse is around one per cent despite allegations of widespread fraud raised by rightwing political parties, notably against foreigners in Switzerland. About 300,000 people receive payments from the disability insurance scheme, including 40,000 who live abroad, mostly in European Union countries. Some 4,000 beneficiaries live…
Citizen movement campaigns to curb social detectives
This content was published on
Since the passing of a law granting ‘social welfare detectives’ more powers, an unprecedented citizen movement has emerged in protest.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.