Parliament calls for greater involvement in demining in Ukraine
Published: Monday, Mar 4th 2024, 15:50
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Parliament wants to increase Switzerland's commitment to mine clearance in Ukraine. After the National Council, the Council of States also adopted a corresponding motion by the SP parliamentary group on Monday.
The small chamber approved the proposal without a countermotion. Because it amended it on one point, the National Council must now deal with it again.
Specifically, the SP motion calls for the Department of Defence to develop an international program for mine clearance in cooperation with organizations active in the war zone. Switzerland should also provide "significant financial and personnel support" for the program.
The Federal Council agreed with the mandate. In its response, it pointed out that Switzerland was already active in this area. With the army and the Geneva International Humanitarian Demining Center (GIHCD), the Confederation has the capabilities and resources at its disposal.
Among other things, the DDPS and GIHCD have jointly offered demining courses in Switzerland and Ukraine. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also provides financial support to the globally active Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD), which is based in Geneva.
The Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S) proposed the adoption of the motion by 10 votes to 1 with one abstention. However, it added a clause to the text of the motion stating that the federal government should give preference to Swiss companies active in the field of mine clearance wherever possible. The National Council must now decide on this.
Ukraine is the country most contaminated with mines in the world, said Commission spokesperson Charles Juillard (center/JU). According to estimates by the Ukrainian government, around 40 percent of the country's territory is contaminated with landmines or ammunition remnants.
Defense Minister Viola Amherd described the Council of States committee's amendment as unnecessary. Her department and the Department of Foreign Affairs were already fulfilling the request, for example through cooperation with the Digger Foundation in Tavannes in the Bernese Jura, which develops and builds mine-clearing equipment. "It doesn't change anything about our work."
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