Swiss to have a seat on proposed EU migration council
Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter with her French counterpart Gérald Darmanin on Thursday.
Keystone / Stephanie Lecocq
Switzerland is set to participate in a new “Schengen Council” proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, whose goal is to better coordinate migration policy in Europe.
Macron presented the idea at a meeting of European Union (EU) interior ministers in Lille on Wednesday and Thursday, where Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter was also present.
The body – which could meet for the first time in March – would act as a platform for Schengen members to quickly react to crises such as that on the EU border with Belarus, where thousands of migrants tried to cross over to Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania late last year.
“This Council can become the face of a strong, protective Europe that is comfortable with controlling its borders and therefore its destiny,” said Macron.
Switzerland, as a non-member of the EU but as a member of the Schengen travel area, would “naturally be part [of the council]”, Karin Keller-Sutter said. Earlier this week she received a “positive response” from Macron regarding the Swiss role.
More
More
Parliament approves strengthening European border agency
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has backed greater commitment to protecting the external borders of Europe’s Schengen zone.
Swiss relations with Brussels have been difficult after the dropping of a draft framework deal last year, and various sectors – notably research – have seen cooperation fall away.
Keller-Sutter said however that “if there is one area where cooperation is necessary, it is security and migration”. The protection of Schengen’s external borders is a central concern for both the EU and Switzerland, she said, echoing Macron’s point that effective border control is the price to pay for continued free movement within Europe.
Frontex, the body responsible for policing the EU’s external borders, is naturally a key part of this; however, Switzerland’s continued financing of it is up for a nationwide vote in May. For Keller-Sutter, voting “no” to Frontex would mean leaving the Schengen area.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
This content was published on
Ernst Ostertag is a pioneer for the legal equality of homosexual people in Switzerland. In an interview with "SonntagsBlick" on the occasion of his 95th birthday, the Zurich native explains what bothers him about the Woke movement.
Several hundred people join anti-WEF protests in Switzerland
This content was published on
Several hundred opponents of the World Economic Forum gathered in Graubünden and in the capital Bern on Saturday to take aim in particular at the WEF's high-profile guests.
Swiss skiers nab top spots in iconic Lauberhorn race
This content was published on
Swiss skier Marco Odermatt has won the Lauberhorn downhill ski race in Wengen, Switzerland, for the third time, just ahead of compatriot Franjo von Allmen.
Switzerland’s neighbours are ‘not role models’ in fiscal policy, says finance minister
This content was published on
Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter defended the country's compliance with the debt brake at a meeting of her party, the Radical-Liberals, on Saturday.
Pope Francis praises Swiss Guards’ patience with pilgrims
This content was published on
During a private audience on Saturday, Pope Francis praised the Swiss Guards for their "great patience" with pilgrims who visit the Vatican.
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier to design outfits for Eurovision presenters
This content was published on
Designer Kevin Germanier will dress the team of presenters at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May in Basel.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter makes official visit to Austria
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter, who took over the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has made her first official visit abroad as president to Austria.
This content was published on
The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
This content was published on
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich's financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
This content was published on
The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
Justice minister calls for reforms to Schengen/Dublin
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter has demanded a rapid reform of the Schengen/Dublin agreements, which govern free movement and asylum issues.
This content was published on
Although Switzerland is not a member state of the EU it is part of the Schengen zone, forcing it to adopt the new procedures, which are aimed at making other countries repatriate failed asylum seekers. From February 2, 2020, the cost of obtaining a visa for the Schengen zone to visit Switzerland will rise from…
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.