FOMOSO engages with Swiss European policy

The Forum for Central and South Eastern Europe (FOMOSO), headquartered in Switzerland, has traditionally focused on political, social and cultural developments in Central and South Eastern Europe and has, since 2023, increasingly established links with various pro-European initiatives and organisations in Switzerland, integrating itself into existing networks.

FOMOSO thereby seeks to contribute more actively to discussions on Swiss European policy. This is primarily achieved through cooperation with partner organisations in Switzerland, including the European Movement Switzerland, stark.vernetzt, the SSOCE (GFGZ) and the Europe Alliance. At first glance, this raises the question of whether this step is compatible with its traditional focus on Central and South Eastern Europe. The answer is a clear yes.

Switzerland is currently engaged in a complex and at times challenging relationship with Europe, in which it repeatedly becomes evident that there is a lack of a clear, long-term European policy. This absence of strategic direction is also reflected in domestic political debate, which is highly polarised – between positions opposing closer cooperation with the EU and those advocating deeper European integration.

Switzerland has considerable potential. As one of Europe’s strongest economies, it is capable of playing an active and constructive role within the European framework. This applies in particular to its engagement with Central and South Eastern Europe, where opportunities for deeper cooperation, new perspectives and partnerships are emerging.

A constructive Swiss European policy can have positive effects on Central and South Eastern Europe – both within the framework of cooperation with the European Union and through independent initiatives, partnerships and networks.

The aim of FOMOSO is to help shape and further develop European cooperation from a Swiss perspective. Not as a departure from its existing focus, but as a consistent continuation of it within a broader European context.

The Coordination Platform Europe is an association of Swiss institutions and organisations, led by the European Movement Switzerland, that are committed to a constructive Swiss European policy and to good relations between Switzerland and the EU. It promotes regular exchange, networking, and the coordination of joint activities, in particular in the field of public events and information initiatives. The shared event calendar brings together the activities of the participating organisations and can easily be added to one’s personal calendar.

Organisations that are committed to a constructive European policy and wish to join the Coordination Platform are warmly invited to contact FOMOSO or the European Movement Switzerland directly.