¶ NATO Rapprochement and Security Policy
Summary: Switzerland has participated in NATO's "Partnership for Peace" (PfP) since 1996 and has significantly intensified its cooperation since 2022. The Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) 2025-2028, accession to the European Sky Shield air defence programme and the opening of a NATO liaison office in Geneva mark a new quality of cooperation. The Neutrality Initiative seeks to constitutionally restrict such cooperation.
¶ 1. Partnership for Peace (PfP) Since 1996
Switzerland joined NATO's "Partnership for Peace" in 1996 -- a cooperation programme for non-NATO states [1]:
- Legally non-binding: No mutual defence pact, no military obligation
- Individually tailored: Switzerland determines which activities it participates in
- Areas: Peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, training
The FDFA emphasises: "Partnership for Peace is an instrument of cooperation, not a stepping stone to NATO membership." [1]
¶ 2. Cooperation Goals 2025--2028 (ITPP)
On 18 December 2025, Switzerland finalised the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) 2025-2028 with NATO [2]:
| Area | Content |
|---|---|
| Political dialogue | Continuation of regular consultations |
| Interoperability | Strengthened cooperation of the Swiss Armed Forces with NATO standards |
| Space | Cooperation in space situational awareness |
| Resilience | Cooperation in crisis preparedness |
| Arms control | Joint measures on disarmament |
| Air force | Interoperability in air surveillance |
The official position: "The activities are compatible with Switzerland's neutrality." [2]
¶ 3. Concrete Rapprochement Steps
¶ 3.1 Sky Shield (October 2024)
Switzerland joined the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a European air defence programme under German leadership [3]. The initiative aims at coordinated procurement of air defence systems.
¶ 3.2 NATO Liaison Office Geneva
- 22 November 2023: Bundesrat approves opening
- 14 December 2023: NATO agrees
- Location: Maison de la Paix (Geneva Centre for Security Policy)
- Tasks: Coordination with the UN and international organisations in Geneva (not directly CH-NATO relations) [4]
¶ 3.3 Joint Exercises
The Swiss Armed Forces regularly participate in NATO exercises, particularly in the areas of peacekeeping and disaster relief.
¶ 4. DDPS Supplementary Report 2022
On 7 September 2022, the Bundesrat approved the Supplementary Report to the 2021 Security Policy Report. Key points [5]:
- Reaffirmation of intensified international cooperation
- Stronger cooperation in the field of cyber defence
- Deepening of intelligence cooperation
¶ 5. Criticism and Debate
| Proponents of cooperation | Critics |
|---|---|
| Necessary adaptation to changed security situation | "Creeping NATO rapprochement" without democratic legitimation |
| Interoperability strengthens defence capability | Neutrality is being undermined |
| Small army needs international cooperation | Switzerland benefits as a "free rider" without own contribution |
| PfP is not a mutual defence pact | Population is not consulted (no referendum) |
The Neutrality Initiative seeks with Art. 54a para. 2 FC to prohibit accession to military or defence alliances (exception: direct attack on Switzerland). Whether and to what extent PfP cooperation would be affected is legally disputed.
¶ 6. Finland and Sweden as Context
NATO accession by Finland (April 2023) and Sweden (March 2024) fundamentally changed the geopolitical landscape (see International Context). Both countries abandoned their longstanding alliance-free status following the Russian attack on Ukraine [6].
¶ References
[1] FDFA (2024). NATO -- Partnership for Peace (PfP).
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[2] DDPS (2025). Switzerland-NATO Cooperation -- Goals 2025-2028 (ITPP).
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. [Open Access]
[3] Blick (2024). Amherd brings Switzerland closer to NATO (Sky Shield).
Blick. [Open Access]
[4] SRF (2024). Geneva to receive a NATO office.
Swiss Radio and Television. [Open Access]
[5] FDFA (2024). Foreign Policy Strategy 2024-2027.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[6] NZZ (2022). Switzerland and NATO -- how much cooperation is possible?
Neue Zuercher Zeitung. [Open Access]
Last updated: March 2026