Changes

====EU relations and politics====

====EU relations and politics====

Because every country surrounding Switzerland, with the exception of [[Lichtenstein]], is a member of the [[European Union]], matters related to the EU are prominent in Swiss politics. In 1992, the Swiss government applied for membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), but on a referendum on December 6, 1992, at a "historically high" turnout of 78.7%, the Swiss population narrowly rejected membership in the organization, even though the liberal elites strongly supported membership.<ref name="Arm's length">Miserez, Marc-Andre (December 2, 2012). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/20-years-on_switzerland-poised-to-keep-eu-at-arm-s-length/34083578 Switzerland poised to keep EU at arm's length]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="CH&EU">[https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/publications/EuropaeischeAngelegenheiten/Schweiz-und-EU_en.pdf Switzerland and the European Union] (PDF) (2nd ed.). ''Federal Department of Foreign Affairs''. 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> After that, starting in 1993, several bilateral agreements were adopted between the Swiss Government and the EU, which allowed Switzerland to integrate with the EU without joining the EU or EEA.<ref name="Arm's length"/> In 2001, immediate membership negotiations with the EU were overwhelmingly rejected by the Swiss people, with 76.8% voting against, in a referendum held on March 4.<ref name="CH&EU"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm Swiss say 'no' to EU]. ''BBC News''. March 4, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Despite these victories for EU-sceptics, Swiss voters approved other referendums advocating for increased integration with the EU, including accepting several bilateral agreements and joining the Schengen Area, which removed all border controls, and Swiss voters also rejected several referendums advocating for reversing integration.<ref name="CH&EU"/> Despite this, on February 9, 2014, Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum proposed by the right-wing and anti-EU [[Swiss People's Party]] that intends to limit immigration through quotas (which violates the EU principle of the free movement of people), requires businesses to give Swiss citizens priority when hiring, and restricts immigrants accessibility to benefits.<ref>Dacey, Jessica & Geiser, Urs (February 9, 2014). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/quotas-and-questions_swiss-agree-to-curb-immigration-and-rethink-eu-deal/37877780 Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Additionally, in 2016, Switzerland withdrew<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/dea/fr/documents/bundesrat/160727-Lettre-retrait-adhesion-CH_fr.pdf|date=2016-07-27|accessdate=2016-09-13|publisher=[[Swiss Federal Council]]|title=Retrait de la demande d'adhesion de la Suisse a l'UE}}</ref> its frozen application for EU membership, which had been dormant since 1992, accepting a motion introduced by SVP parliamentarian Lukas Reimann.<ref>Goulard, Hortense (June 15, 2016). [http://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-withdraws-application-to-join-the-eu/ Switzerland withdraws application to join the EU]. ''POLITICO''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/european-policy_swiss-to-withdraw-dormant-eu-bid/42229112 Swiss to withdraw dormant EU bid]. ''Swissinfo''. June 15, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3644697/Switzerland-WITHDRAWS-application-European-Union-member-state-one-week-Brexit-vote.html 'Only a few lunatics want to join the EU now': Switzerland WITHDRAWS application to become a European Union member state one week before the Brexit vote]. ''The Daily Mail''. June 16, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

Because every country surrounding Switzerland, with the exception of [[Lichtenstein]], is a member of the [[European Union]], matters related to the EU are prominent in Swiss politics. In 1992, the Swiss government applied for membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), but on a referendum on December 6, 1992, at a "historically high" turnout of 78.7%, the Swiss population narrowly rejected membership in the organization, even though the liberal elites strongly supported membership.<ref name="Arm's length">Miserez, Marc-Andre (December 2, 2012). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/20-years-on_switzerland-poised-to-keep-eu-at-arm-s-length/34083578 Switzerland poised to keep EU at arm's length]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="CH&EU">[https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/publications/EuropaeischeAngelegenheiten/Schweiz-und-EU_en.pdf Switzerland and the European Union] (PDF) (2nd ed.). ''Federal Department of Foreign Affairs''. 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> After that, starting in 1993, several bilateral agreements were adopted between the Swiss Government and the EU, which allowed Switzerland to integrate with the EU without joining the EU or EEA.<ref name="Arm's length"/> In 2001, immediate membership negotiations with the EU were overwhelmingly rejected by the Swiss people, with 76.8% voting against, in a referendum held on March 4.<ref name="CH&EU"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm Swiss say 'no' to EU]. ''BBC News''. March 4, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Despite these victories for EU-sceptics, Swiss voters approved other referendums advocating for increased integration with the EU, including accepting several bilateral agreements and joining the Schengen Area, which removed all border controls, and Swiss voters also rejected several referendums advocating for reversing integration.<ref name="CH&EU"/> Despite this, on February 9, 2014, Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum proposed by the right-wing and anti-EU [[Swiss People's Party]] that intends to limit immigration through quotas (which violates the EU principle of the free movement of people), requires businesses to give Swiss citizens priority when hiring, and restricts immigrants accessibility to benefits.<ref>Dacey, Jessica & Geiser, Urs (February 9, 2014). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/quotas-and-questions_swiss-agree-to-curb-immigration-and-rethink-eu-deal/37877780 Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Additionally, in 2016, Switzerland withdrew<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/dea/fr/documents/bundesrat/160727-Lettre-retrait-adhesion-CH_fr.pdf|date=2016-07-27|accessdate=2016-09-13|publisher=[[Swiss Federal Council]]|title=Retrait de la demande d'adhesion de la Suisse a l'UE}}</ref> its frozen application for EU membership, which had been dormant since 1992, accepting a motion introduced by SVP parliamentarian Lukas Reimann.<ref>Goulard, Hortense (June 15, 2016). [https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-withdraws-application-to-join-the-eu/ Switzerland withdraws application to join the EU]. ''POLITICO''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/european-policy_swiss-to-withdraw-dormant-eu-bid/42229112 Swiss to withdraw dormant EU bid]. ''Swissinfo''. June 15, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3644697/Switzerland-WITHDRAWS-application-European-Union-member-state-one-week-Brexit-vote.html 'Only a few lunatics want to join the EU now': Switzerland WITHDRAWS application to become a European Union member state one week before the Brexit vote]. ''The Daily Mail''. June 16, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

Despite not being a member of the EU, Switzerland contributes to the EU budget.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cohesion-fund_swiss-government-wants-to-pledge-more-funding-to-eu-budget/44006944 Swiss government wants to pledge more funding to EU budget]. ''Swissinfo''. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref>

Despite not being a member of the EU, Switzerland contributes to the EU budget.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cohesion-fund_swiss-government-wants-to-pledge-more-funding-to-eu-budget/44006944 Swiss government wants to pledge more funding to EU budget]. ''Swissinfo''. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref>

Switzerland in October 2000 implemented an ordinance to enforce UN sanctions against the Taliban (UNSCR 1267), which it subsequently amended in April 2001 in accord with tighter UN regulations (UNSCR 1333). On May 2, 2002, the Swiss Government eased the sanctions regime in accord with UNSCR 1388 and 1390, lifting the ban on the sale of acetic acid (used in drug production), Afghani Airlines, and Afghani diplomatic representations. The weapons embargo, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions remain in force. The Swiss Government in November 2001 issued an ordinance declaring illegal the terrorist organization [[al Qaeda]] as well as possible successor or supporting organizations. More than 200 individuals or companies linked to international terrorism have been blacklisted to have their assets frozen. Thus far, Swiss authorities have blocked about 72 accounts totaling 34 million francs.

Switzerland in October 2000 implemented an ordinance to enforce UN sanctions against the Taliban (UNSCR 1267), which it subsequently amended in April 2001 in accord with tighter UN regulations (UNSCR 1333). On May 2, 2002, the Swiss Government eased the sanctions regime in accord with UNSCR 1388 and 1390, lifting the ban on the sale of acetic acid (used in drug production), Afghani Airlines, and Afghani diplomatic representations. The weapons embargo, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions remain in force. The Swiss Government in November 2001 issued an ordinance declaring illegal the terrorist organization [[al Qaeda]] as well as possible successor or supporting organizations. More than 200 individuals or companies linked to international terrorism have been blacklisted to have their assets frozen. Thus far, Swiss authorities have blocked about 72 accounts totaling 34 million francs.

In August 2017, Switzerland suspended funds to a Palestinian NGO due to its ties to terrorism.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/08/23/report-switzerland-halts-funding-palestinian-ngo-alleged-terror-ties/ Report: Switzerland Halts Funding to Palestinian NGO over Alleged Terror Ties]. ''Breitbart News''. August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.</ref>

In August 2017, Switzerland suspended funds to a Palestinian NGO due to its ties to terrorism.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/08/23/report-switzerland-halts-funding-palestinian-ngo-alleged-terror-ties/ Report: Switzerland Halts Funding to Palestinian NGO over Alleged Terror Ties]. ''Breitbart News''. August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.</ref>

==Defense==

==Defense==