Switzerland makes demining in Ukraine more difficult

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Ukraine is scarred by war. It is said that up to 40 percent of the land is cultivated. However, there are no reliable figures on this. In Ukraine, great hopes are pinned on Switzerland. Because several companies are located here that develop or produce demining equipment.

However, different regulations apply to Swiss manufacturers of these devices for export to Ukraine, depending on the production location.

The Bernjurassic organization Digger is now criticizing Switzerland’s strict export regulations, as the “NZZ am Sonntag” writes. The strict interpretation of Swiss neutrality makes access to active war zones such as Ukraine difficult. Frédéric Guerne, founder of the Digger organization, says about “NZZ am Sonntag”: “Each machine must be approved by the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs Seco before it can be shipped. The project is examined down to the smallest detail.”

Germany has loose rules

The Federal Council qualified mine clearance equipment as goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes. Although they differ significantly from military devices such as demining tanks. Nevertheless, Seco has given the green light: Digger wants to deliver two machines to Ukraine by the end of the year, partly financed by Swiss Solidarity. The company also wants to set up serial production on location.

The Schwyz company GCS has it easier. It establishes itself as the market leader for mine clearance equipment in Ukraine. It will deliver up to 30 machines to Ukraine by the end of the year. GCS produces these in Germany, where export regulations are less strict than in Switzerland.

SP wants more support

The SP has long criticized the fact that Switzerland should help Ukraine more, for example with mine clearance. SP party leader Roger Nordmann (50) called on the Bundesrat to loan six of its twelve mine clearance vehicles for civilian purposes to Ukraine. “If the Federal Council does not want to make any contribution to the re-export of weapons, then it must at least provide strong assistance in demining Ukraine.”

Switzerland is already involved in five UN mine clearance programs today. She supports the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Demining; there are also foundations and private companies. According to information, the federal government spends 18 million francs annually on mine clearance around the world. (she)

Source:Blick