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Foreign, security and defence policy

Foreign and security policy

Switzerland and the EU work closely together in the area of foreign and security policy. This cooperation encompasses regular dialogues on topics such as security and defence, human rights, multilateralism, peace policy/mediation and development cooperation. There are also regular exchanges focused on geographical areas, for example Africa and Asia. In addition, Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against third countries independently on a case-by-case basis and participates in various instruments of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Security and defence policy

Switzerland participates in various instruments of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which includes contributions to civilian and military EU peace missions (EULEX Kosovo, EUFOR Althea, etc.) as well as participation in projects within the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework for joint capability development in cyber defence, military mobility, space, and other areas. An important pillar is the cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA), with which Switzerland has had an administrative arrangement (AA) since 2012. This arrangement enables Switzerland to participate in research and technology development projects, the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) and other activities in the area of training and capability development.

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