Brussels, 27/08/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 26 August, the Swiss Federal Council approved the complementary arrangement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and Liechtenstein for Swiss participation in the activities of Frontex, the EU external border agency. The complementary arrangement proved necessary after Switzerland took on board the regulation establishing the European external border agency (Frontex) and the regulation establishing a mechanism for the creation of rapid border intervention teams (RABIT). The arrangement mainly covers exercise of the Swiss right of vote and its financial contribution to the Frontex budget. This contribution is expected to be between €1.5 and €1.8 million per year. During the same sitting, the Federal Council also approved the decree pertaining to operational cooperation with the other Schengen states with a view to protecting the external borders of the Schengen area. This sets out, in detail, operational cooperation at the external Schengen borders. (B.C./transl.jl)