The Swiss have agreed to contribute one billion Swiss francs (around 630 million euro) to assist new member states. The EU has subsequently expressed its willingness further to develop its relations with Switzerland, reported EUractiv.com

A majority of 53% supported the financial aid package, while 47% voted against in a referendum on 26 November 2006. The financial aid will flow into the EU’s cohesion fund, which supports less-developed countries and regions. The payments will be made at the earliest in 2007.

Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey pointed to the political importance of the vote. With it, she said, Switzerland showed that it wanted to be an active player in the region and a reliable partner for the continent's other countries. This commitment would contribute to the continued success of Switzerland's bilateral route and co-operation with the EU, she added.

Commission President José Manuel Barroso said that the decision by the Swiss people was also in their interest, since Switzerland gains from privileged market access to the EU and therefore also benefited from each EU enlargement.

External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner added that the decision reinforced bilateral relations and constituted a basis to further develop relations between the EU and Switzerland.

Support for future members Bulgaria and Romanian will be decided by a Parliament vote instead of a referendum.

This is the third referendum on EU-related matters, following the bilateral agreement in 2000 and the vote to join the Schengen area in 2005.

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