Switzerland may allow re-export of weapons to NATO countries

Switzerland’s Council of States, the country’s smaller parliamentary chamber, has backed a proposal to lift the ban on re-exporting weapons to conflict zones.

The matter now awaits a vote in the National Council, the larger chamber of parliament, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

According to a statement on the Swiss parliamentary website, the decision would, in principle, allow arms exports to NATO countries—except in rare cases where doing so would conflict with Switzerland’s foreign policy or political interests.

In addition, NATO member states would be permitted to pass on any Swiss-made military equipment they receive to third countries without needing approval from Switzerland.

Under current law, Switzerland bans the re-export of weapons to active conflict zones, in line with its long-standing tradition of neutrality.

This rule has so far blocked the transfer of Swiss arms and ammunition to Ukraine, despite requests from countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Spain.

By Aghakazim Guliyev