Safeguarding independence and security is a fundamental objective for any country. For Switzerland it is also a priority. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) assists in the implementation of this goal with its peace, human rights and humanitarian policy and economic development collaboration. Switzerland's foreign policy makes an important contribution to the peaceful coexistence of nations and thereby also to national and international security.

Since the end of the Cold War the international political arena has changed. Complex threats such as terrorism, weapons and drugs handling, organized crime, environmental pollution and armed conflict require closer national and international collaboration. For Switzerland this means close cooperation with other countries on an international level.