General Information » Economy » International Relations

Despite joining the UN and signing bilateral agreements with the European Union Switzerland remains firmly attached to its famous neutrality, which is inscribed in international law. This basically means that it cannot assist or provide military support to a country or party at war. However, it can participate in non military sanctions ordained by the UN or other international institutions such as the European Union. It can also participate in and allow the transit of peacekeeping operations. It may also collaborate with European partners with regard to equipment and training as this is not directly linked to assistance in armed conflict.

In the new Federal Constitution that came into effect on the first of January 2000 the Federal Council defined five priority areas in its foreign policy for the first decade of the new millennium. These policies include: (i) making a substantial and visible contribution to the prevention of violent conflicts and to the furtherance of democracy and rule of law, (ii) enhancing intercultural dialogue to promote cultural diversity both at national and international levels, (iii) pursuing a humanitarian policy that promotes respect for and promotion of human rights, (iv) making the fight against poverty a central element of its development cooperation activities through good governance, sustainable use of natural resources, debt relief, social balance, promotion of income and employment, and integration into world trade, and (v) safeguarding Switzerland’s economic interests at international level by promoting exports of small and medium sized businesses, and establishing the country’s position as a centre for research and education as well as a competitive financial centre. Switzerland is also engaged in consolidating existing international treaties to protect natural resources.

The recent move to join the UN should allow the country to safeguard its economic interests abroad in light of intensifying international collaboration between states. Switzerland is also a member of many other international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), the UN Organization for Industrial Development, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The bilateral agreements signed between Switzerland and the European Union in June 2002 regulate their cooperation in terms of research, public markets, eliminating technical obstacles to c...