Swiss government backs UN membership

The Swiss government has recommended that the country relaxes its strict policy of neutrality and joins the United Nations.

The country's foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said membership would allow Switzerland -- already the seat of a number of UN organisations -- to play a more active role within the organisation. He said the country's neutrality would not be compromised by membership. The proposal will still have to be passed by both houses of parliament, and approved in a referendum.

Although the Swiss rejected UN membership in 1986, opinion polls indicate the proposal would be accepted this time round. A referendum isn't expected until 2003.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service