Swiss president supports lifting ban on arms re-export to Ukraine – Reuters

Swiss President Viola Amherd stated on Monday, 28 October, that she was in favour of revising the ban that currently prevents the re-export of Swiss-made weapons from other nations to Ukraine. Source: Reuters, citing Amherd, as reported by European Pravda Details: Amherd believes the arms re-export embargo harms the country's industry and security.

"Personally, I think we need to make a step forward for our industry.

It becomes difficult because countries like the Netherlands have decided not to buy in Switzerland as it's not free to re-export, which I understand," she said. She added, however, that Switzerland, which acts as a peaceful mediator in global conflicts, will never supply weapons directly to a country at war. The president stated that Switzerland must increase its investment in European security, emphasising that it has not done enough in the past 30 years.

She highlighted her intention to bolster relationships with partners, including NATO.

Reuters noted that calls for Bern to abandon its longstanding policy of neutrality have been increasing both domestically and internationally since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Swiss parliament recommended easing the rules on arms re-exports, though the government refused to do so.

Background:

• On 16 October, the Swiss Federal Council decided to adopt the remaining measures of the 14th EU sanctions package against Russia, introduced in June.
• Later, it was reported that the Swiss government had handed over the first of three specialised GCS 200 vehicles to Ukraine's State Emergency Service at the Mine Action Conference in Ukraine.
  

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