Federal Council holds discussion on neutrality
Bern, 07.09.2022 - The Federal Council is of the view that the policy of neutrality, as defined and implemented since the report on neutrality of 29 November 1993, remains valid. It leaves Switzerland sufficient room for manoeuvre to respond to the events that have been taking place on the European continent since the start of the war in Ukraine. The draft report on neutrality prepared in response to the postulate of the foreign affairs committees will be adapted and adopted by the Federal Council this autumn on the basis of this position.
On Wednesday 7 September 2022, the Federal Council discussed the neutrality report prepared in response to the postulate of the foreign affairs committees (22.3385 'Clarity and guidance on neutrality policy'). The draft report will be adapted accordingly and adopted by the Federal Council this autumn.
The Federal Council believes that the policy of neutrality, as defined and implemented since the report on neutrality of 29 November 1993, remains valid. The decisions the Federal Council has taken since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, such as the adoption of EU sanctions against Russia, are compatible with Switzerland's policy of neutrality. This policy provides the Swiss government with sufficient room for manoeuvre to respond to the events that have been taking place on the European continent since the beginning of the conflict.
The Federal Council will continue to monitor the impact of the conflict on international relations and will present an assessment of the situation, including with regard to Switzerland's neutrality policy, in its foreign policy strategy next year.
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