Swiss party criticizes government defense projects with EU – World

GENEVA, August 22. /TASS/. The Swiss People’s Party, the largest party in the country’s parliament, also known as the Democratic Centre Union, has criticized President Viola Amherd and her government for undermining the confederation’s neutrality by joining European Union defense and security projects.

“The Swiss People’s Party firmly opposes Switzerland’s participation in EU military projects within the framework of PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation). By joining them, the Federal Council thoughtlessly rejects the sovereignty and neutrality of our country,” the party said in a statement published on its website.

It says that by strengthening military ties with the European Union, the government is “putting the security of the Swiss nation at risk”.

The Swiss People’s Party demanded that the matter be urgently submitted to parliament for approval and reiterated that it “rejects the ongoing rapprochement with the EU and NATO”.

Earlier, Switzerland announced plans to join two EU security initiatives within PESCO, namely “Military Mobility” and “Cyberspace Federation”.