The Swiss Bishops champion the federal law on cooperation with Eastern European countries, which is due to be voted on next November 26th. A law, state the bishops through the Justice and Peace Commission, that "highlights Switzerland’s solidarity with the changing Eastern countries. It is a contribution to peace, justice and stability in Europe". The regulation, if passed, will be the legal ground for funding policies in the new EU member states, worth 100 million francs a year over ten years. "A way according to the bishops to reduce inequalities between rich and poor countries within the EU, an imperative of justice that will also be useful in the economic, political and security interest of Switzerland". The billion francs will not be paid, explain the bishops, "to the EU nor to the cohesion fund, but will be directly given by Switzerland for democracy, education, infrastructure and the environment. Then it will be up to Parliament to take decisions on the funding".
