Switzerland and Austria have signed a declaration of intent to join the European air defence system, Sky Shield, marking a historic moment for neutral Switzerland, BBC reports.
The system was initiated by Germany in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and aims to enable European countries to collectively purchase and train for defence systems. While joining a Europe-wide defence system was previously unthinkable for Switzerland, the unstable situation in Europe has prompted a reassessment of air defences.
Switzerland and Austria argue that participating in the common system allows them to maintain their neutrality by pooling military resources. However, concerns have been raised about compromising Switzerland's long-standing neutrality, particularly regarding the response to potential conflicts involving neighbouring countries under the Sky Shield initiative.
The debate over neutrality in Switzerland has been amplified by the country's membership in the United Nations and its obligations under the UN Charter. Switzerland's stance on weapons exports has also come into question, as some have called for Swiss-made weapons to be sent to Ukraine to aid in restoring peace.
While Switzerland's decision to join Sky Shield is seen as a step towards greater collective defence, critics, particularly the far-right Swiss People's Party, argue that it aligns the country with NATO and undermines its traditional neutrality.
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