On Wednesday it passed a government decision to increase Switzerland’s contribution to the EU’s European Border and Coast Guard AgencyExternal link (Frontex) from CHF14 million ($15 million) to CHF61 million by 2027.
Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU but does belong to the single-border Schengen Area, will also provide more staff.
The European Union wants to close existing gaps and provide Frontex with sufficient personnel and resources to carry out its tasks. In particular it wants to improve the return of illegal migrants, support voluntary returns and obtain travel documents.
At the same time the expansion of Frontex aims to further improve the fight against cross-border crime, the government said.
In order to provide the necessary personnel, Frontex would have to build up a permanent body of up to 10,000 border guards between 2021 and 2027. Switzerland already participates in Frontex operations with its own experts. By 2027, a maximum of 16 deployments lasting two years and up to 59 deployments lasting four months each are expected.
More
More
Switzerland sceptical on EU plan to boost border force
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has expressed scepticism about EU plans to expand the EU border force Frontex.
This content was published on
Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
European border agency wants more Swiss help
This content was published on
In an interview with Swiss public radio, SRF, Fabrice Leggeri said that Switzerland could contribute more at a time when EU countries are strengthening their borders. Frontex has just put together a reserve rapid-response unit of 1,500 border control experts. The new intervention group is soon to be put into use, mainly in Italy, where…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.