Switzerland steps up cooperation with EU on foreign and security policy
Zurich, 05.03.2026 — Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Martin Pfister, Switzerland's foreign and defence ministers respectively, met with the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, in Zurich on 5 March 2026. At the meeting, Mr Cassis and Ms Kallas signed a joint declaration on strengthening foreign and security policy cooperation. An agreement simplifying Switzerland's participation in EU peacekeeping missions was also concluded. These new agreements are not part of the Swiss–EU package (Bilaterals III).
The non-binding joint declaration on strengthening cooperation in foreign and security policy signed today, which had been approved by the Federal Council on 12 December 2025, introduces regular political dialogue at ministerial level – an additional strategic dimension to the existing Swiss–EU dialogue on foreign and security policy. The purpose of the new agreement is to analyse global developments early on, identify common interests and deepen cooperation on vital European security issues in a targeted manner.
Simplified participation of Switzerland in EU peacebuilding missions
The framework participation agreement (FPA) concluded at the meeting creates a clear legal and administrative framework for Switzerland's potential contributions to EU civilian and military missions in future. It simplifies the procedures for secondments without entering into new obligations, whereby Switzerland will continue to decide on its participation on a case-by-case basis. This is based on the applicable legal foundations set out in the Federal Act on Measures pertaining to Civil Peace Support and the Promotion of Human Rights and the Armed Forces Act. The new agreement is in line with Swiss neutrality. The relevant committees of the National Council and Council of States were consulted on the negotiating mandate and the Federal Council approved the agreement on 5 December 2025.
First round of political dialogue
Following the signing ceremony, Mr Cassis and Mr Pfister took part in the first Swiss-EU political dialogue under the new agreement. The focus was on current global crises and security policy issues including the war in Ukraine, escalation in Iran and the Middle East, handling disinformation, framework conditions for the defence industry as well as transatlantic relations. Switzerland's term as chair of the OSCE in 2026 and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the UN or within the framework of the European Political Community were also discussed.
Joint declaration on strengthened cooperation on foreign and security policy