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Switzerland Today

Swiss news in English

Friday, September 20, 2024

Switzerland Joins EU Defense Projects

Published: 2024-08-21

Switzerland is set to enhance its military collaboration with the European Union by participating in two key projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework.

The Swiss Federal Council has approved the country's involvement in the "Military Mobility" and "Cyber Ranges Federation" initiatives, aimed at improving military mobility and cyber defense capabilities.

This move is part of Switzerland's broader strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges.

While the Swiss government assures that these collaborations align with the nation's neutrality obligations, the decision has sparked debate, particularly from the Swiss People's Party (SVP), which argues it undermines Swiss neutrality.

The projects are pending approval from the involved states and the EU Council, marking a significant step in Switzerland's defense policy amidst growing security concerns in Europe.