SpaceWar.com - Your World At War
Swiss seek security, defence deal with EU
Geneva, June 25 (AFP) Jun 25, 2025
Switzerland announced Wednesday it was interested in striking a security and defence partnership with the European Union, insisting such a tie-up would not violate the country's cherished military neutrality.

The announcement comes two days after the EU and Canada signed a similar deal, and on the same day at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Landlocked in Europe, Switzerland is not a member of the EU or of NATO but is largely surrounded by countries which are.

At its weekly meeting on Wednesday, the Swiss government "decided to enter into exploratory talks with the EU with a view to concluding a security and defence partnership", it said in a statement.

"A partnership of this kind is a prerequisite for any joint procurements in the defence sector. It is compatible with neutrality and helps to strengthen Switzerland's defence capabilities."

Britain signed a similar defence partnership in May, and Australia and the EU announced last week that they had begun negotiations for an agreement.

Bern said it had an interest in greater cooperation with Brussels, particularly in relation to armaments.

"Due to the dynamic developments in international armaments cooperation, exploratory talks should be launched as soon as possible," the government said.

"A security and defence partnership is a non-legally-binding declaration of intent and is compatible with neutrality. Switzerland would not be subject to any legal or financial obligations."

Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality and the country has mandatory conscription for men.

A key facet of its national identity, Swiss neutrality traces its roots back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815.

Global geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's war in Ukraine, are fuelling a desire among the Swiss for greater cooperation with NATO, according to a survey published on June 17 by the defence ministry.

According to the survey, 53 percent of respondents favoured closer ties, while 32 percent supported Switzerland joining the defence alliance.


ADVERTISEMENT




Space News from SpaceDaily.com
Bearings Used in Space Technologies: Engineering for the Final Frontier
Orbex advances as UK contender in ESA launcher competition
K2 Space validates satellite systems in orbit and fires record-breaking thruster

24/7 Energy News Coverage
Ultrasound triggers nuclear decay anomaly hinting at flexible space-time
AI system accelerates aircraft concept design using language models
Autonomous sub explores unexplored trench depths to reveal critical mineral clues

Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
PLD Space selected as leading contender for ESA sovereign launch initiative
UK opens competitive bid for GBP 75 million orbital cleanup mission
Boeing wins major contract to deliver new generation strategic comms satellites

24/7 News Coverage
UK thermal satellite firm wins ESA contract to deliver real time climate and security insights
Glacier retreat could drive a surge in volcanic eruptions worldwide
Beyond male dominance in primates new study redefines gender power roles



All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.