On Monday, January 13, the European Union officially approved Switzerland’s inclusion in the “Military Schengen” program, enabling the seamless deployment of troops across Europe.
The statement reveals that this decision allows the Netherlands, acting as the project coordinator, to extend a formal invitation to Switzerland to join the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative. This follows Switzerland’s formal request submitted in September 2024.
Once the administrative agreement is finalized, Switzerland will officially participate in the project.
The PESCO initiative aims to streamline and standardize national procedures for cross-border military transportation, ensuring the swift movement of personnel and equipment across the EU via road, rail, sea, or air.
Canada, Norway, and the United States joined the program in 2021, followed by the United Kingdom in 2022.
In 2023, NATO raised concerns over bureaucratic hurdles delaying the redeployment of troops within Europe.
As early as spring 2023, Switzerland began exploring participation in EU military projects focused on cybersecurity and mobility, despite its long-standing neutrality.
