Strengthen commitment: Parliament wants to rid Ukraine of mines

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The judgment of the Council of States was clear. The small chamber approved the SP’s proposal for a stronger Swiss commitment to demining in Ukraine without a counter-proposal. Having added one point, the National Council must now deal with it again.

In concrete terms, the SP motion demands that the Ministry of Defense develop an international mine clearance program in collaboration with organizations active in the war zone. In addition, Switzerland should “significantly support” the program financially and in terms of personnel.

The Federal Council also agrees

The Federal Council agreed to the order. In his response he pointed out that Switzerland was already active in this field. With the military and the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Mine Clearance (GIHCD), the federal government has capabilities and resources.

VBS and GIHCD jointly offered mine clearance courses in Switzerland and Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provides financial support to the globally active Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD), based in Geneva.

The Council of States wants to give preference to Swiss companies

The Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S) requested acceptance of the motion by 10 votes to 1 and one abstention. However, she added a clause to the text of the motion according to which the federal government should, if possible, give preference to Swiss companies active in the field of demining. The National Council must now decide on this.

Ukraine is the country in the world most heavily contaminated by mines, said commission spokesman Charles Juillard (center/JU). According to estimates by the Ukrainian government, about 40 percent of the country’s territory is contaminated with landmines or ammunition residues.

Minister of Defense Viola Amherd (61) called the addition to the Commission of the Council of States unnecessary. Your department and the foreign department are already responding to the request, for example through collaboration with the Digger Foundation in Tavannes in the Bernese Jura, which develops and builds mine clearance equipment. “It doesn’t change our work.” (SDA)

Source:Blick