Switzerland’s decision to participate in the defense project despite military neutrality

According to Isna, the Swiss government announced today (Friday) that it has joined the project of creating a united European air and missile defense called the “European Sky Shield Initiative”.

According to Reuters, this project was implemented by Germany after the start of the war in Ukraine with the aim of allowing European countries to participate in the purchase of defense systems and training related to them.

Ors Löhr, head of the Swiss Army Armaments Office, signed the document joining the project, making Switzerland the 15th member of the European Sky Shield initiative.

The Swiss government wrote in a statement released today: “By participating in this initiative, Switzerland increases international opportunities for cooperation. The European Sky Shield initiative will improve cooperation related to equipment supply projects, training and logistics aspects in the field of ground-based air defense.

This government stated: “Our initial focus has been on cooperation in the field of medium-range air defense based on the ground, although cooperation in the field of short-range and long-range air defense may be done later.”

This decision by the Swiss government has caused controversy within the country, as supporters of Swiss military neutrality say it violates this neutrality.

On Friday, the Swiss government claimed that this project is compatible with the country’s military neutrality status because it does not contain any obligations and Switzerland can still decide where and to what extent it participates, as well as if a member of this initiative is involved in War should be withdrawn from cooperation with it.

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