2024-08-29 15:27:33
The study says that the security picture in Europe has deteriorated significantly, especially due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, power politics and the increasing crisis zones.
The Ministry of Defense has set up a training committee on the security system in July 2023, and it outlines a security strategy that matches the current threats.
His report contained more than 100 recommendations, particularly regarding Switzerland’s neutrality, international cooperation, arms policy and the orientation of defense strategy.
Switzerland’s long-standing position has been one of neutrality with a well-armed military.
The landlocked country is not in NATO or the EU, while its neighbors Germany, Italy and France are in both, and Austria is an EU member.
“The neutrality policy must be revised, more focused on its security function and used more flexibly,” a statement said.
The majority of the committee recommended that the policy of neutrality be more closely aligned with the United Nations charter, with greater recognition of the distinction between aggressor and victim.
“Switzerland cannot represent a security gap in Europe,” and its position surrounded by the EU makes the need for security cooperation “clear,” the report said.
“Instability is not an obstacle to cooperation with NATO in matters of security policy,” he added.
“Cooperation with NATO and the EU should be further deepened with the aim of a common defense force and the development of genuine security cooperation,” the statement said.
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Switzerland should therefore set its expectations from its own defense capabilities, and what it can offer to cooperation partners.
With hybrid warfare being the “first threat to Switzerland”, the country’s weapons industry should be strengthened and carefully measured against the threat situation.
Therefore, “access to EU and NATO cooperation activities should be ensured”.
The report also called for diplomatic efforts on international arms control and on managing new technologies.
The journalist said that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine opens the door to conflict with NATO, and that Switzerland’s neutrality does not guarantee that it will not attack.
The study recommends increasing the defense budget to one percent of the gross domestic product by 2030.
The report will feed into the broader 2025 security policy framework.
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