Swiss President Supports Changes in Arms Re-Export Regulations

Swiss President Viola Amherd announced her support for a review of the country’s policy on the re-export of Swiss-made weapons. This move could potentially allow for the shipment of these weapons to Ukraine. The current embargo preventing the re-export of Swiss arms is deemed detrimental to Switzerland’s industry and security.

The Swiss Parliament has proposed easing arms regulations, but the government has refused to change its long-standing stance last year. Serving as the defense minister, Amherd emphasized the issue's impact on the domestic arms industry during a press event in Bern on Monday. She pointed out that countries like the Netherlands prefer not to purchase Swiss weapons due to re-export restrictions, viewing this as a reasonable decision.

Amherd highlighted the connection between a strong arms industry and national security, stressing the importance of possessing advanced technology and expertise. However, she reiterated that Switzerland, known for its role as a peace mediator, would not directly supply weapons to a country in conflict.

Despite its commitment to neutrality, Switzerland ranked as the 14th largest arms supplier worldwide in 2022, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Critics suggest that the country's neutral position is taken into account, while sales of Swiss arms have decreased in 2023.

In a broader context, Amherd noted that Switzerland needs to increase its investment in European security and plans to strengthen its relationships with partners, including NATO. She pointed out that the country has not made sufficient defense investments in the last thirty years, emphasizing the need to address this shortcoming.