Rejected the request submitted by Spain on January 16, 2023, maintaining its military neutrality status
THE Switzerland banned today in Spain to send to Ukraine anti-aircraft guns Swiss-made, maintaining its status of military neutrality.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) “rejected the request submitted by Spain on January 16, 2023 regarding the re-export to Ukraine of two 35 mm anti-aircraft guns,” a spokesman, Fabian Magenfis, told AFP.
The last months Switzerland had already refused requests from Germany and Denmark for the shipment of military equipment to Kyiv. In contracts for the purchase of such material, the countries sign an agreement with Switzerland that prohibits the re-export of weapons to other countries. According to Swiss law, the government must refuse the export of military equipment if the destination country is involved in an armed conflict, such as Ukraine with Russia. Spain’s request was examined, as were those of Germany and Denmark, taking into account the same criteria. “Switzerland therefore responded in the negative” citing its neutrality and the law on the export of military material, the spokesman added.
The discussion about Swiss neutrality rekindled after the govt decided to adopt all EU sanctions on Russia after the latter invaded Ukraine about a year ago. Several proposals have been tabled in Parliament to ease restrictions on the re-export of military equipment, but no decision is expected for many months.
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