Bundestag agreement on extension to Seychelles, Swiss breakthrough

(B2) Crushing score in the Bundestag. The German Federal Assembly on Thursday approved the extension of the European Union's anti-piracy operation "Atalanta" to the Seychelles. 475 MPs voted for (CDU/CSU, SPD, FPD and Grünen) and 42 against (Die Linke). The budget remains unchanged. The operation provides - as originally - for a maximum of 1400 committed men. Germany has undertaken to permanently provide a frigate in the area, with 2 helicopters, and a protection detachment of 10 men. A number that varies. Thus at the beginning of May, she had three ships in action as well as a P3 Orion aircraft.

As to Swiss, the commitment becomes clearer. The security commission of the National Council (the Swiss assembly representing the people) voted, on Tuesday, by 15 votes against 11 for the commitment of
Swiss soldiers (about thirty within Atalanta). On the other hand, it did not consider it necessary to modify the Swiss law on military engagement abroad. The budget allocated to this operation will be 9,8 million Swiss francs. The Swiss contingent will be made up of a medical team, staff officers, two awareness and training teams and three specialists in legal issues.

(updated June 28) the security commission of the Council of States (the Swiss assembly representing the cantons) voted, on June 26, in the same direction, by a clear majority (10 votes against 1) for the commitment of the Swiss in Atalanta. On the other hand, opinion is more divided on the side of the external affairs committees of the two assemblies: that of the National Council expressed its hostility to this operation while that of the Council of States approved it. The Swiss Parliament is due to debate this issue in the fall.

(NGV)