by The Swiss authorities have vetoed Denmark’s request to send Swiss-made armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) recently rejected Denmark’s bid to provide about 20 Piranha III infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, Swiss public television, SRF, said on Wednesday. SECO said the ban was in line with Switzerland’s policy of neutrality of not supplying arms to conflict zones, according to SRF. Neutral Switzerland requires foreign countries that buy Swiss arms to seek permission to re-export them. In April it vetoed the re-export of Swiss-made ammunition used in anti-aircraft tanks that Germany is sending to Ukraine. Pressure However, the government is facing increasing pressure to review its policy. Politicians
Topics:
Swissinfo considers the following as important: 3) Swiss Markets and News, 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy, Featured, newsletter, Politics
This could be interesting, too:
Frank Shostak writes Assumptions in Economics and in the Real World
Conor Sanderson writes The Betrayal of Free Speech: Elon Musk Buckles to Government Censorship, Again
Nachrichten Ticker - www.finanzen.ch writes Bitcoin erstmals über 80.000 US-Dollar
Nachrichten Ticker - www.finanzen.ch writes Kraken kündigt eigene Blockchain ‘Ink’ an – Neue Ära für den Krypto-Markt?
The Swiss authorities have vetoed Denmark’s request to send Swiss-made armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) recently rejected Denmark’s bid to provide about 20 Piranha III infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, Swiss public television, SRF, said on Wednesday.
SECO said the ban was in line with Switzerland’s policy of neutrality of not supplying arms to conflict zones, according to SRF.
Neutral Switzerland requires foreign countries that buy Swiss arms to seek permission to re-export them.
In April it vetoed the re-export of Swiss-made ammunition used in anti-aircraft tanks that Germany is sending to Ukraine.
Pressure
However, the government is facing increasing pressure to review its policy. Politicians notably from centrist parties argue the weapons would be used to help defend a country against an invasion.
But politicians on the right and the left warn Switzerland’s neutrality might be undermined by the re-export.
The Swiss government is expected to discuss a German request to re-consider the re-export of anti-aircraft tanks at one of its next meetings, according to SRF.
Switzerland has parted with past practice and adopted European Union sanctions designed to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, an incursion Moscow describes as a special military operation to disarm and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.
But Swiss neutrality faces its biggest test in decades as a domestic debate rages over how to interpret the policy that kept Switzerland out of both world wars during the 20th century.
You Might Also Like
Russian oligarch ‘handed Swiss company over to wife’
2022-05-25
The effectiveness of sanctions against Russia have again been called into question as it emerged that an oligarch transferred his stake in a fertilizer company to his wife. The move has apparently thwarted European Union sanctions that Switzerland also enforces.
Swiss seek cooperation with US on cyber security defence
2022-05-16
Defence Minister Viola Amherd has held talks with United States government representatives on international security cooperation.
Stay or go? Western consumer brands wrestle with Russian dilemma
2022-03-12
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has led to an exodus of well-known western brands from Russia, but not every company has joined the rush.
Why Switzerland doesn’t want to join the European Union
2022-03-06
Switzerland and the European Union have a complicated relationship. The recent decision by the Alpine nation to definitively shut the door on a framework agreement with the EU reaffirms its attachment to its independence. It shows that 30 years after refusing to join the EU, Switzerland’s stance has only been reinforced. We look at some of the main reasons why.
Finance minister says global corporate tax to come into force in 2024
2022-01-14
The Swiss government has pledged to implement from 2024 the minimum tax rate for large multinational companies under a global tax deal.
Omicron forces WEF to postpone flagship event again
2021-12-22
The Covid-19 pandemic has severely disrupted plans to hold the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) main annual meeting in Davos for a second year in a row.
Pension reform passes in parliament but set to be challenged to vote
2021-12-18
Parliament has approved a major reform of the Swiss pension system, including a controversial rise in the retirement age for women. The overhaul also foresees financial compensation – staggered over nine years for women directly affected by the change – as well as an increase in value-added tax.
Expo 2020 Dubai: Swiss pavilion focuses on sustainability and innovation
2021-12-16
The Swiss pavilion at the ongoing Universal Exposition in Dubai leads the visitor through Alpine landscapes in a show of light and shadows to showcase Swiss sustainability, urbanisation and innovation. It is a concept that seems to appeal to the public, despite the pandemic and the many contradictions that characterise the Gulf region.
Tags: Featured,newsletter,Politics