Switzerland and Eulex Kosovo: first participation of a third country

(B2) The Committee of 27 ambassadors of the European Union (Coreper) must, on July 23, approve an agreement with Switzerland for its participation in the “rule of law” mission (Eulex) in Kosovo. Switzerland – home to many Kosovars – would thus be the first country to sign such an agreement.

Nb: Switzerland's participation agreement in Eulex was published in Olympic Games of 13
August.

Participation that is becoming commonplace for Switzerland

Switzerland is already taking part in NATO's military operation in Kosovo, Kfor, under UN mandate (approximately 220 men and 2 Super-Puma helicopters in the southern sector under German command, in the Prizren region), and regularly to EU operations. It thus has men in Bosnia, in the Althea military operation with 25 men (two local observation teams established in Bugojno and Bosanska Gradiska, and 2 Cougar helicopters) and the civilian multi-ethnic police training mission (Mpue), as well than in the Congo, in the civilian police mission "EUPOL RDC" (a Swiss specialist in judicial matters). This cooperation is not new. Swiss experts took part in the EU civilian police mission in Macedonia (Proxima, 2005) as well as in the observation mission in Aceh, Indonesia (2006) and in the military operation in Congo "EUFOR RDC" (two "unarmed" military doctors). map of swiss commitments in the world.

In 2005, Switzerland signed an 0061:EN:PDF">agreement with the European Union for the exchange of classified information, an agreement which entered into force on June 1, 2008.

Please note: Switzerland's commitment abroad is subject to strict conditions
According to Swiss Federal Army Law:
1° The UN or OSCE mandate is an "indispensable prerequisite" for Switzerland's participation in ESDP military missions (as is the case for participation in operations launched by the UN or by NATO).
2° Participation in interventions to promote peace is on a voluntary basis.
3° For an armed intervention, it must be authorized by the Parliament as soon as its duration exceeds three weeks or that more than 100 soldiers are called.
4° Any participation in combat with a view to imposing peace remains excluded.

(NGV)

Photo credit: Swiss Ministry of Defense - "Soldiers in Bosnia - Operation Althea"