Switzerland wants to better cooperate with the EU in the event of a disaster

During a major disaster. Consequently, such as an earthquake, a forest fire or a pandemic, the European Union (EU) reacts by setting up a coordinated protective mechanism. Therefore, Switzerland wishes to participate, but negotiations for membership are complicated.

On Wednesday, a forest fire escaped any control in Cyprus. Local authorities asked Brussels to combat the claim from Brussels, the European Commission announced on Thursday. In response, the EU sent switzerland wants better cooperate eu two fire -fighting planes on the Mediterranean Island.

The EU civil protection mechanism (UCPM) was then activated. the aid was coordinated by the EU emergency measures coordination center, the headquarters of which are in Brussels.

Through the UCPM, any country in the world can ask for help from the EU. The mechanism has been activated more than 770 times since its commissioning in 2001, can be read on the UCPM website. For example. it was activated during the serious earthquake in Türkiye and Syria in February 2023 or during catastrophic floods in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg in July 2021.

Participation of “complicated” Switzerland – Switzerland wants better cooperate eu

There is an administrative arrangement between Switzerland. the European Commission which facilitates the exchange of information and good practices in the field of disaster prevention and reaction mechanisms, writes the Federal Office for Population Protection (OFPP). However, this does not correspond to a switzerland wants better cooperate eu participation in the UCPM.

The latter was requested by the Parliament in 2023 and the Federal Council was then responsible for obtaining it. According to the calculations of the Confederation, a participation would cost between eight and eleven million francs per year.

As Switzerland is not part of the European Economic Area (EEE). participation in UCPM is not possible due to European law, also indicates the OFPP. The Confederation therefore has two membership options available to it: an international treaty or an adaptation of European law.

According to the Confederation, the first solution represents a “complicated and long -term process”. In addition, no country has such a treaty. With regard to the second option. the European Commission explained to Keystone-ATS that an internal examination of the legal methods of Switzerland’s participation was underway.

Switzerland will organize an exercise in 2026

According to Brussels. in addition switzerland wants better cooperate eu to the EU member states, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine participate in UCPM. Either they are part of the EEE or they are candidates for EU membership.

Exercises are also organized as part of the mechanism. Thus, in 2024, Switzerland participated in training in the German Baden-Wurtemberg. In order to show the interest of Switzerland. such an exercise must take place for the first time in Switzerland, as announced by the OFPP in early July.

In a fictitious scenario, a serious earthquake would cause very big damage in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Friborg. The Federal Council would thus request international aid via UCPM. According to the OFPP, the exercise is scheduled for October 2026.