Federal Council relies on treaty as basis for Ukraine aid
Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th 2024, 17:10
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Swiss support for the reconstruction of Ukraine is to be regulated by an international treaty. This was decided by the Federal Council on Wednesday. In doing so, it is defying the wishes of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees.
They are calling for a legal basis for aid to Ukraine in two motions. A majority in both committees argues that the state treaty preferred by the Federal Council is not appropriate. With a law, parliament could have more of a say and the law could also be limited in time.
The Federal Council takes a different view: as a legal basis for the involvement of the Swiss private sector in the reconstruction of Ukraine, it wants to negotiate a referendum-capable, time-limited treaty, as it announced. Accordingly, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs is to draw up a mandate for negotiations with Ukraine by the end of February 2025.
According to the Federal Council, an international treaty drawn up jointly with Ukraine forms the partnership basis for Switzerland's support measures. Ukraine is already familiar with this approach, as it concluded a similar treaty with France this year.
In June, the Federal Council decided, among other things, that CHF 500 million should be made available over the next four years to involve the Swiss private sector in the reconstruction of Ukraine. This primarily involves financial aid for Ukraine for the purchase of products and services offered by Swiss companies.
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