Swiss Change Mind, Decide to Join IMF, World Bank
The government of Switzerland, with a long history of shunning international organizations, has applied for membership in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The IMF, which monitors the international monetary system, said in a brief announcement today that the Swiss government had applied for membership in the lending agency.
A spokesman at the Swiss Embassy confirmed that and said his government was also seeking to join the World Bank and its affiliates.
Finance Minister Otto Stich told reporters that the move reflected a growing openness on the part of the Swiss people to joining international organizations.
However, he made it clear that the country wanted to get its own seat on the prestigious 22-member executive board.
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