The Swiss Senate has rejected a proposal to ban the country’s participation in NATO exercises because of the risk of weakening its defence capability.
‘Swiss participation in joint defence exercises with NATO should not be prohibited. The Council of Cantons rejected on Wednesday by 29 votes to 12 and after a lengthy debate the National Council’s proposal to this effect,’ a press release on the Senate’s website said.
Earlier, the Swiss People’s Party, the largest party in the state’s parliament, opposed the country’s rapprochement with NATO and the EU.
In July, NATO and Switzerland signed an agreement to open an alliance office in Geneva to work with international and non-governmental organisations based there.