NATO fully respects Switzerland's neutrality. Switzerland is a longstanding, valued partner for NATO. Bilateral cooperation began when Switzerland joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme in 1996 and became a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in 1997.
Switzerland is officially neutral and is not a member of NATO. However, since 1996 it has taken part in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme . This involves bilateral military cooperation and sharing of information and experiences. There are no binding legal obligations, such as collective defence.
Ireland implemented a policy of neutrality during the Second World War. In 1949 Ireland was invited to join NATO, but did not accept the invitation because it did not wish to join an alliance that also included Great Britain.
However, after a Swiss referendum held on 6 December 1992 rejected EEA membership by 50.3% to 49.7%, the Swiss government decided to suspend negotiations for EU membership until further notice. These did not resume and in 2016, Switzerland formally withdrew its application for EU membership.
While neither Seoul nor Tokyo are members of the alliance, NATO has invited both countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, to its annual summits since 2022.
Turkey has been an applicant to accede to the EU since 1987. In 1999, Turkey gained candidate status to become a member of the EU. Accession negotiations were started in 2005, but have been stalled since 2016. EU–Turkey relations became strained following the 2016 coup attempt.
Switzerland is not part of the European Union and as such doesn't use the Euro. ¹ That said, the country is surrounded by European Union countries including France, Germany, and Italy, so some businesses do accept Euro payments.
Switzerland is renowned for having a strong and varied export market. Pharmaceuticals, gems, chemicals, and machinery are the main contributors. Another key factor is Switzerland's focus on its own industries.
Its members are countries in Europe and North America. New Zealand is not a member of NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty restricts any expansion of the alliance's membership to European states only.
His foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides later dismissed Cypriot membership of NATO or Partnership for Peace, preferring to keep Cyprus' foreign and defence affairs within the framework of the EU, i.e. the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 1923, when Russia was going through a period of revolutionary turmoil – and they were not resumed until 1946. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became tense after Switzerland imposed sanctions against Russia.
Global security relationships – Australia's relationship with NATO. Though Australia is not a NATO member, its ties to the organisation have grown as a result of ADF deployments to Afghanistan under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
The Swiss Armed Forces defends our country and people against a military attack. It supports the civilian authorities in dealing with natural disasters and in countering serious threats to internal security. And it assists within the context of international peace support and humanitarian aid.
Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, has its second largest army and is the host of the Allied Land Command headquarters. The Incirlik and Konya Airbases have both been involved in several NATO military operations since their establishment. The current ambassador to NATO is Basat Öztürk.
Sweden has pursued close ties and cooperation with its neighboring Nordic countries, particularly Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway. This commitment to Scandinavian unity has been reflected in diplomatic initiatives, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges.
In response, Russia expanded the unfriendly countries list to include 48 countries around the world that had imposed the sanctions or severed diplomatic relations. On 22 July 2022, Russia added Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia individually to the list, separate from the European Union.
No countries have left NATO since its founding, although France withdrew from NATO unified command between 1966 and 2009. Since the accession of Sweden on 7 March 2024, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization covers a total area of 27,580,492 km2 (10,648,887 sq mi).
Most officials believed it would be too risky to allow Ukraine to join NATO as it would upset Russia greatly. On 6 April 2004, parliament adopted a law on the free access of NATO forces to the territory of Ukraine.
Israel was designated as a major non-NATO ally in 1987 by US President Ronald Reagan and has since cooperated with NATO in the areas of technology, counterterrorism and other areas.
Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in the European Union, per capita, and its citizens enjoy a high. It is a major center for large private banking, and its finance sector is the biggest contributor to its economy.
There is no national minimum wage in Switzerland. However, some cantons do have a minimum wage that applies in that canton. Some collective agreements and companies also have one for a specific industry or company.
During World War I and World War II, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality, and was not invaded by its neighbors, in part because of its topography, much of which is mountainous. Germany was a threat, and Switzerland built a powerful defense.
