The EU has approved Switzerland's invitation to join the "military Schengen." What does this mean?

The Council of the European Union has approved Switzerland's invitation to participate in the PESCO project "Military Mobility." It is also referred to as the "military Schengen."

This has been reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the EU Council.

The EU Council has confirmed that Switzerland's participation aligns with the common conditions and will provide "significant added value" to the project.

Now, the Netherlands, as the coordinator, is authorized to invite Switzerland in response to its request. Once the country completes its administrative procedures, it will officially become a member of the "military Schengen."

What is PESCO "Military Mobility"

This project aims to simplify and standardize cross-border military transport procedures. It ensures the rapid deployment of military personnel across the European Union via road, rail, sea, or air routes.

Cooperation under PESCO is one of the pillars of the EU's defense policy. It forms the basis for military collaboration among 26 EU member states that have made commitments to one another. Together, they develop defense capabilities, enhance operational readiness, and improve interoperability.

Third countries are invited only in exceptional cases. They must meet political, legal, and other conditions, such as sharing democratic values, and so on. Canada, Norway, and the USA were invited in 2021, followed by the United Kingdom in 2022.

It is worth noting that Switzerland has been exploring the possibility of joining the "military Schengen" since spring 2023. The application was submitted in September 2024.

Last summer, there were even proposals in the country to reconsider its neutrality policy due to Russia's war against Ukraine. An expert group from the Ministry of Defense advocated for military rapprochement with NATO and the European Union.