Switzerland Mulling ‘Secret Agreements’ with NATO: Media

The Swiss government could revise its security policy by intensifying military cooperation with NATO, representing a significant adjustment to its longstanding policy of neutrality, the Blick news outlet reported on Sunday, citing a draft of a document it reviewed.

According to Blick, on August 29, the Federal Department of Defense led by Swiss President Viola Amherd will present a report from a study commission which is intended to provide “impulses for security policy in the coming years,” RT reported.

One of the recommendations is to increase cooperation with NATO, which, the commission argues, would “strengthen Switzerland’s defense capabilities.”

“NATO will remain the security guarantor for Europe for the foreseeable future. It is the benchmark for modern Western armies and defines the standards for Western military technology,” the report stated.

Switzerland maintains “permanent neutrality” in accordance with its constitution. Its obligations include refraining “from engaging in wars,” prohibiting shipments of weapons to war zones from or through its territory and providing mercenary troops to countries involved in armed conflicts, as well as ensuring its own defense.