Amherd on a visit to Vienna

In the event of an attack, “Swiss neutrality is invalid”

The Swiss President and Defense Minister Viola Amherd with President Van der Bellen

(Bild: APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)

In the event of a Russian attack, Switzerland intends to defend itself against the aggressor together with its European NATO partners, as Swiss President and Defense Minister Viola Amherd made clear on Tuesday during her inaugural visit to Vienna. "If there is an attack on Switzerland, then neutrality will fall."

Although the "European Sky Shield" air defense initiative includes a reservation of neutrality, the situation would be different in the event of an attack, as Amherd explained. In such a case, Switzerland could then "organize our defence with partners", the Christian Democrat politician added. As with any weapon system, it is hoped that the defense shield "will not be deployed". However, the cooperation would help Switzerland in the event of defense, Amherd argued at a joint press conference with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the Hofburg.

(Bild: APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)

The two neutral countries are participating in the initiative launched by NATO member state Germany last year, which focuses in particular on joint procurement, training and the exchange of information, such as radar data.

Support for the Sky Shield initiative
Van der Bellen also expressed clear support for the Sky Shield initiative. The procurement of missile defense systems is "very expensive" and "too expensive for small states to do on their own", he emphasized. With regard to the neutrality of both countries, he described it as a "stroke of luck" that Austria and Switzerland could cooperate in the military field. In general, however, it was time to think about a better organization of defence within the EU. The current supply problems in the area of ammunition, for example, were not due to the fact that countries were spending too little on the military, but that they were not cooperating enough. "The war in Ukraine makes us aware of this: We have a cooperation problem," said the Federal President.

Inaugural visit made up for
Van der Bellen had received Amherd with military honors at Ballhausplatz on Tuesday morning. The President, who has been in office since the beginning of the year, is making up for a visit that she had to cancel at the end of January due to the coronavirus. She also wanted to meet Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) in the afternoon.

Van der Bellen had received Amherd with military honors at Ballhausplatz on Tuesday morning.

(Bild: APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)

Van der Bellen would like to see Switzerland in the European Council
The talks between the two heads of state focused on Ukraine and Switzerland's rapprochement with the EU. In this context, 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. They are working under great pressure, but in the end the quality must be right, she said, referring to the fact that the outcome of the negotiations must ultimately be approved in a referendum.

Van der Bellen expressed his hope for a positive outcome to the negotiations, because it is not only Switzerland that needs the EU, but also vice versa. He himself would be delighted if Switzerland "was not only a firm European friend", but also "sat next to us in the European Council". It is a "pity" that this is unrealistic, he added.

Switzerland wants to host Ukraine peace conference
Amherd also reiterated Switzerland's plan to host a peace conference on Ukraine before the summer. However, she could not yet provide details on the time and place, she said in response to a corresponding question. The plans were presented in January on the fringes of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Grisons ski resort of Davos. The two neutral states of Switzerland and Austria have taken a similar approach to Russia's aggression in Ukraine: strong condemnation of the aggression, including economic sanctions and humanitarian support for the victims of the aggression, but no military aid.