The European Union has officially approved the invitation of Switzerland to join the Schengen Military Schengen program, which provides for the unimpeded placement of troops throughout Europe. The decision was made after Switzerland applied in September 2024. Now the Netherlands, who coordinate the project, have officially invited Switzerland to become a member of the Pesco program. Upon completion of the Administrative Agreement, Switzerland will become an official member of this important project.
The PESCO project "Military Mobility" is aimed at simplifying and unifying national procedures for crossing borders during military transportation. This allows you to move the military staff and equipment within the EU effectively and quickly using different modes of transport, including vehicles, rail, sea and air routes.
Switzerland will become part of this project by joining countries that are already participants in the program, such as Canada, Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom, which have been invited in previous years. Switzerland's participation in "Military Schengen" will allow EU member states to strengthen defensive cooperation and accelerate the mobility of military forces in the event of a threat or need.
In order for the country to apply to PESCO, it must meet a number of political, legal and substantive requirements. In particular, this includes community of values with the EU and the lack of conflict of interests related to the security and defense of the European Union.
The Norwegian Government also announced the restoration of the requirement for the mandatory construction of bomb shelters in new buildings, which will become part of the new civil defense plan of the country. This initiative is developed in the context of strengthening security in Europe because of new geopolitical challenges.
