EU approves Switzerland's invitation to military Schengen
Switzerland becomes a member of the EU project "Military Mobility" (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Council of the European Union has approved Switzerland's invitation to join the PESCO project Military Mobility, often referred to as the military Schengen, according to the EU Council.
The EU Council confirmed that Switzerland's participation meets the general conditions and will provide the project with significant added value.
The Netherlands, as the coordinator, is now authorized to invite Switzerland in response to its request formally. Once the country completes the necessary administrative procedures, it will officially become a member of the military Schengen.
What is PESCO "Military Mobility"
The project aims to streamline and standardize cross-border military transport procedures, enabling the rapid movement of military personnel across the European Union by road, rail, sea, or air.
Cooperation within PESCO is a cornerstone of the EU's defense policy. It serves as the foundation for military collaboration among 26 EU member states, which have committed to jointly developing defense capabilities, enhancing operational readiness, and improving interoperability.
Third countries are invited to participate only in exceptional cases. They must meet political, legal, and other criteria, including adherence to democratic values. Canada, Norway, and the US were invited in 2021, followed by the UK in 2022.
Switzerland began exploring the possibility of joining the military Schengen in the spring of 2023 and submitted its application in September 2024.
Last summer, Switzerland even considered revisiting its neutrality policy due to Russia's war against Ukraine. An expert group from the defense ministry advocated for closer military ties with NATO and the European Union.
