Switzerland formally signs application to join UN

In a move which was welcomed by United Nations officials, Switzerland –hosts of the European headquarters of the world body – today formally signed its application to join the UN.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, Kaspar Villiger, and the Federal Chancellor, Annemarie Huber-Hotz, attended the ceremony at the Ministry of Finance, a UN spokesman said in New York.

The head of Switzerland's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York will submit the application personally to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in early July, according to spokesman Fred Eckhard.

Based on the recommendation of the Security Council, the General Assembly is expected to take a decision on the matter on 10 September at the opening ceremony of its 57th session.