On the eve of Swiss National Day, which takes place on 1st August, a group of intellectuals, the Club Helvétique, has launched a call for Switzerland to join the European Union. The signatories to the call emphasize that accession would enable Switzerland to participate in European debate. Cut off by the economic crisis, "Switzerland is experiencing the full extent of its solitude," remarks Le Temps. "Those who worry about compromising Swiss neutrality (…) should note that it is no longer credible, nor indeed useful. The disappointments of this ‘annus horribilis’ (…) show that on the contrary, in the minds of its closest allies, Switzerland is no longer the precious stabilizing force that we have long sought to protect." Although there is no knowing what the immediate impact of this manifesto will be, it will certainly relaunch debate on Switzerland's role within Europe. "Can we agree that this is an ideal aspiration for National Day?" asks the daily.
Switzerland
Lonely confederation seeks European friend
31 July 2009
Presseurop
Le Temps 
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