Amherd in Austria: Neutrality is invalid in the event of an attack
Published: Tuesday, Apr 9th 2024, 16:10
Updated At: Tuesday, Apr 9th 2024, 16:22
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Switzerland wants to defend itself together with its European NATO partners in the event of a Russian attack. President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Defense Viola Amherd made this clear in Vienna on Tuesday.
It is true that the European air defense initiative "European Sky Shield" is subject to neutrality. "If there is an attack on Switzerland, then the situation is different and neutrality will no longer apply," said Amherd. In such a case, Switzerland could "organize our defence with partners".
As with any weapon system, she hoped that the European air defense shield would not be deployed. However, cooperation would help Switzerland in the event of defense, said Amherd at a joint press conference with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg in Vienna.
The two neutral countries are participating in the "Sky Shield" air defense initiative launched by NATO member state Germany in 2023. This initiative focuses in particular on joint procurement, training and information exchange, for example through radar data.
Synergies for smaller countries
Van der Bellen also expressed clear support for the initiative. The procurement of missile defense systems is "very expensive" and "too expensive for small states to do it alone". With regard to the neutrality of both states, he described it as a "stroke of luck" that Austria and Switzerland could cooperate in the military field.
In addition to the security situation and the situation in Ukraine, the talks between the two heads of state focused on Switzerland's rapprochement with the EU. On the issue of Ukraine, Amherd reiterated the plan to organize a peace conference before the summer. Van der Bellen assured her of Austria's support.
With regard to the EU, Amherd expressed the hope that the talks between Bern and Brussels, which have been ongoing since mid-March, could be successfully concluded before the end of the year.
Van der Bellen wished for a positive outcome to the talks. He himself would be delighted if Switzerland "was not only a firm European friend", but also "sat next to us in the European Council". The European Council is the body of heads of state and government of the European Union.
Military honors
Van der Bellen received Amherd with military honors at Ballhausplatz in Vienna on Tuesday morning. Amherd is making up for a visit that she had to cancel at the end of January due to Covid-19. After her appointment with Van der Bellen, she met Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).
In the afternoon, an exchange with Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) was on the agenda. This was to be about "issues of common interest", as Amherd said. Like the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), her centrist party belongs to the Christian Democratic and conservative European party family EPP (European People's Party).
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