The Swiss Senate has supported an amendment allowing the re-export of Swiss weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, according to a statement on the parliament’s website.
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“Countries buying Swiss military equipment should be allowed, under certain conditions, to re-export it to countries involved in armed conflicts. The Council of Cantons confirmed this position on Wednesday by 22 votes to 17, with four abstentions,” the release says.
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It is noted that since some representatives of the left, centrists and the People’s Party voted against, the deputies of the National Council will have to return to this issue.
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According to the draft, the transfer of Swiss military equipment from third countries may be allowed to the state involved in the conflict, if it uses “its right to self-defense in accordance with international law.”
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“Buying countries will still have to sign a no-re-export declaration. But this period will be limited to five years for countries that share the values of Switzerland and have a comparable export control regime. <…> The new provision will have retroactive effect,” the statement says.
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In May, Swiss Permanent Representative to the UN Pascal Christine Beriswil said that the re-export of Swiss weapons to Ukraine is impossible without changing the law. Switzerland, referring to the principle of military neutrality, rejected requests from Germany, Spain and Denmark to re-export ammunition produced in the confederation to Ukraine.
