The Swiss government has allowed NATO to establish a liaison office in Geneva.
This move was announced by the Swiss government on Tuesday, with officials signing an agreement in Bern to regulate the office's legal status.
Details of the Agreement
The agrrement was signed by Franz Perret, head of the International Law Directorate of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and John Swords, legal adviser and director of NATO's Legal Affairs Office.
The NATO Liaison Office in Geneva will not function as a bilateral NATO representation; Switzerland will maintain its communication with NATO through its representative in Brussels, where NATO's headquarters are located.
NATO already operates liaison offices in New York and Vienna to build relations with local international organizations and monitor multilateral developments.
The Geneva office will serve a similar purpose, leveraging Geneva's status as a hub for international and non-governmental organizations.
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Background and Rationale
The decision to open the Geneva office follows the NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023, where the idea was first proposed. The specialized committee of the upper house of the Swiss parliament had previously supported the initiative.
The Swiss government highlighted Geneva's expertise in international law, disarmament, and arms control as areas of interest to NATO. Switzerland also announced plans to deepen cooperation with NATO, including joint training missions and revised rules for the transit of foreign military personnel.
Swiss Security Cooperation
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there has been a growing inclination within Swiss authorities and society to enhance security cooperation, particularly with NATO.
But Switzerland faces international criticism for its stance on banning the re-export of weapons that could be used against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
