Manifesto Neutrality 21 - Necessary adjustment of neutrality
In May 2024, 87 well-known Swiss political figures published a manifesto calling on the Swiss government to "update" Switzerland's 400 years of neutrality to the present time, and instead align closer with NATO.[1]
Own words
Putin's Russia has irretrievably changed the security face of our continent with the brutal war of aggression against the future EU member Ukraine, and thus against all democracies in Europe. This also applies to Switzerland and its foreign policy. Our neutrality, which was practiced until February 2022, has thus become obsolete and is no longer recognized in Europe. The current official foreign policy does not sufficiently take this finding into account. In particular, it fails to recognize that the foundations have fundamentally changed since Switzerland joined the United Nations and thus its commitment to collective security. Attackers and victims must no longer be treated equally.[2]
Neutrality has lost its usefulness for Switzerland's military security. This depends above all on NATO and the EU and its member states. The protective effect of neutrality is determined by the benefits it provides to the international community. The importance of neutrality as a foreign policy instrument in the context of European security must therefore be reviewed again and again. It cannot be understood as permanent and everlasting.[2]
A powerful army serves a credible security policy of Switzerland, regardless of whether Switzerland is neutral or not. In peacetime, Switzerland is preparing with NATO and the EU in such a way that, in the event of aggression, it can defend itself militarily together with the democratic constitutional states. It works closely with them in armament, training and leadership, so that the interoperability of the armed forces and the combat of the combined weapons is ensured.[2]
Switzerland should adapt the Embargo Act. In addition to the sanctions imposed by the [UN]] and the main trading partners, the Federal Council can also take its own measures.
In its exercise, neutrality is subject to collective security and humanitarian interventions (R2P) and allows Switzerland to provide appropriate support services, such as the granting of overflight rights or the transit of troops and materials for the benefit of a victim of aggression and the affected civilian population.[2]
Known Participants
5 of the 87 of the participants already have pages here:
| Participant | Description |
|---|---|
| Christine Beerli | Swiss politician who attended her first Bilderberg in 2018 as Vice President of the Red Cross |
| Joseph Deiss | Economist and politician who was a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1999 to 2006. |
| Peter Forstmoser | Swiss corporate lawyer, academic, money man. IISS. Club of Rome. |
| Christa Markwalder | Attended Bilderberg as President of the Swiss National Council. Handpicked as a Young Leader throughout her career by mighty interests. |
| Roger de Weck | WEF/Global Leaders for Tomorrow/1994. Director-General of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation 2011-2017. |
