The June 15-17 summit, to be held across Lake Geneva in the French city of Evian-les-Bains, will bring together leaders of the world’s major economies, including US President Donald Trump, along with other high-level delegations
By Olivia Le Poidevin
GENEVA, June 4 (Reuters) – Switzerland will send around 4,000 soldiers within its territory to reinforce security as world leaders gather for the G7 summit in neighboring France in mid-June, the Swiss army said on Thursday.
The June 15-17 summit, to be held across Lake Geneva in the French city of Evian-les-Bains, will bring together leaders from the world’s major economies, including US President Donald Trump, along with other high-level delegations.
The scale of the event and its proximity to the Swiss border require close coordination between civil and military authorities, said the unit that plans and manages the Swiss Armed Forces. Protests are expected.
‘The proximity to the border represents a major challenge for security authorities in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais. As a result, the Federal Council and Parliament decided on a subsidiary security detachment of the Army, the Swiss Army Defense Group said in a statement.
The military will be tasked with protecting critical infrastructure, including Geneva Airport, strengthening border surveillance and monitoring key transport routes and Lake Geneva, the group said.
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The Swiss Air Force will also intensify air policing, with airspace restrictions in place from June 10 to 19, and provide counter-drone systems and protection against nuclear, biological and chemical threats, the statement added.
