Signature of cooperation framework between the European Defence Agency (EDA) and Switzerland

Today the framework in the field of armaments cooperation between the EDA and Switzerland (in the form of a "Framework for Cooperation" without legal commitment) was signed at the headquarters of the European Defence Agency (EDA) in Brussels. For Switzerland the document was signed by Ambassador Jacques de Watteville, Head of the Swiss Mission to the European Union in Brussels. For the European Defence Agency the signature was affixed by Claude-France Arnould, Chief Executive of the EDA. On the Swiss side the Federal Council had approved the signature on 15 February 2012.

This signature lays the foundation for the armaments specific exchange of information and enables Switzerland to participate, from case to case, in armaments projects and programs coordinated by the EDA in the fields of research and development as well as procurement and maintenance of armaments. The framework does not entail  any commitments. Switzerland is free to decide what information it wants to exchange within the framework and in what projects and programs it wishes to participate. For every concrete Swiss project participation a specific project agreement has to be concluded. The framework entered into force immediately after its signature.

The development and production of armaments is complex and expensive. Therefore international cooperation in the armaments sector becomes more and more important, also for Switzerland, and particularly in the field of research and development. In Europe most of these activities take place within the EDA. The agency is a platform for know-how exchange and project specific cooperation, and supports the EU member states in their development of defence capabilities; it promotes armaments coo-peration and competitiveness of the armaments industry as well as the efficiency of research and development activities in Europe.

The access to multilateral armaments cooperation in Europe and the participation in know-how transfer is of great benefit to the research and technology base of Switzerland and to our armaments industry.

Further information:

Federal Council’s Media Information of 15.2.2012

Address for enquiries:

Kaj-Gunnar Sievert
Head Communication armasuisse
031 324 62 47

Daniel Klingele
Spokesperson Mission of Switzerland to the EU
0032 2 286 13 29

Publisher:

Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research