2023-07-07 08:33:33
Switzerland wants to European air defense system «Sky Shield» participate. Defense Minister Viola Amherd had a corresponding decision on Friday in Bern letter of intent signed. The neutrality is not endangered by it, she said.
“Any participation in international conflicts is explicitly excluded,” Amherd told the media in Bern. Like Austria, Switzerland has its reservations under neutrality law in one supplementary statement detained. Each country can define the extent of its participation in the air shield itself.
The declaration of intent was signed at the annual trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to Amherd, the German Minister of Defense attended Boris Pistorius and his Austrian counterpart Claudia Tanner part. Austria also wants to join “Sky Shield”.
Amherd said on Friday that Switzerland wanted to coordinate its procurement projects more closely with its European partners. As a reason she called the massive deteriorated security situation – The situation is tense in Ukraine, Sudan, Kosovo, Mali, Taiwan, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. “Cooperation is therefore more important than ever,” said Amherd.
“Solutions within the scope of what is possible for Switzerland”
In the meeting with the German and Austrian partners, Amherd also pointed out that Switzerland is doing valuable work in and for Ukraine, even if it cannot supply weapons. But the federal government helps, for example, with mine clearance.
She assured her German counterpart that she would continue to work “for solutions within the framework of what is possible for Switzerland,” said Amherd. Parliament is currently discussing the decommissioning of Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which are then to be sold back to the German manufacturer.
All in all, the Ukraine war does not represent “an easy political starting point” for Switzerland, according to Amherd. It is understandable that parts of the neutrality were not understood everywhere. That is why dialogue is important “so that there is no doubt about our solidarity”. (SDA)
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