After the federal government’s veto – “unspeakable”, “incomprehensible”, “disgraceful”

This journal is available from Monday Statement on the Federal Veto, To participate in the evacuation of wounded from Ukraine at the request of the NATO subsidiary. Switzerland is now retaliating for its failure to join the EU’s civil protection mechanism. The EU and five third countries have used the mechanism to evacuate 845 wounded civilians and soldiers since the start of the war, according to diplomats in Brussels.

Against this backdrop, the central government’s veto takes on another dimension. An agreement between the EU and Norway came just in time. Brussels sponsors an aircraft specializing in medical evacuation. However, the bright yellow machine is parked in Oslo.

Most of the wounded go to Germany and France

“I thank Norway for the swift implementation of the agreement,” EU civil protection commissioner Jannes Lenarczyk said recently. The brutal war in Ukraine has forced millions to flee their homes, with the most vulnerable patients in need of urgent medical care. A new aircraft can be launched especially at the time of need.

Norway is one of five third countries participating in the EU Civil Protection and Crisis Mechanism. Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro have also signed similar agreements. Most of the injured have been transferred to hospitals in Germany and France. But Norway has not ruled out taking players either.

According to Brussels, Switzerland has not yet shown any interest in participating in the mechanism. Interestingly, Switzerland can count on assistance from the EU’s disaster mechanism even without an agreement. In addition to partner countries, neighboring countries can also invoke the mechanism. However, according to the EU Commission, a legal basis is required to participate in relief efforts. The European Union currently uses this mechanism to send firefighting aircraft to fight forest fires in southern Europe.

The central government argues that

As an initial reaction to the request, the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors was open to accepting wounded Ukrainians. However, after lengthy explanations, the Federal Department of External Affairs (FDFA) vetoed it. The main argument is neutral. Neutral states are allowed to take care of soldiers from war-torn countries. Under a strict interpretation of neutrality, according to the FDFA, Switzerland must ensure that soldiers can no longer participate in military operations after recovery. For this, Swiss soldiers should be jailed better.

Green Party leader Balthazar Gladley wrote on Twitter: “For reasons of neutrality, it is clear that no soldiers can be allowed to recuperate and then go back to war.” But briefly explained, if Switzerland does not allow injured soldiers to travel back, they can still be cared for in Switzerland.