A slim majority of Swiss support rapprochement with NATO. However, only every third person surveyed is in favor of participation. These are the results of a new study published by the Swiss Ministry of Defense.
At 55 percent, the approval is significantly higher than last year’s result. In addition, “the Swiss are now more critical of neutrality and are ready to cooperate more” with NATO, ministry representatives said. The research was conducted by the Swiss Military Academy and the Center for Security Studies.
Another finding, however, is that only a third of respondents would support NATO membership. Switzerland is not currently a member of the military alliance, but is cooperating with it. For example, soldiers participate in the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and participate in exercises. In addition, there is cooperation with NATO in the field of cyber defence.
Neutrality does not contradict cooperation
The majority of respondents do not believe that their country’s neutrality precludes such cooperation. About nine in ten people (91 percent) still support neutrality today, but that number is down from last year. According to the Swiss, the government should take a political position, but not intervene militarily.
The Ukrainian government and its allies have criticized this neutrality in recent weeks. Although the Swiss government supports the sanctions against Russia, a supply of weapons to Ukraine is still excluded. Sweden and Finland are currently seeking to join the military alliance.
Source: Krone
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