Security Policy

Russia's attack on Ukraine has put the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) under pressure. According to Raphael Nägeli, Switzerland's Permanent Representative to the OSCE in Vienna, the primary objective of the ministerial meeting in early December is to ensure that the OSCE retains its ability to act. The Ministerial Council will insist on Russia upholding the principles agreed by participating states. But Nägeli also believes that in the medium to long term, European security can only be achieved with Russia's cooperation.

In order to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we must also address the issue of delivery systems. The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), with its 35 member states, develops guidelines for controlling the export of delivery systems and technologies for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and other military and combat equipment. As Benno Laggner explains, the issue has a significant bearing on Switzerland's security policy and economy. The Swiss diplomat will chair the MTCR for one year.

The nuclear threat was omnipresent during the Cold War. But it is still real, as developments in context of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine demonstrate. The 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the basis for disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. At the Treaty Review Conference taking place in New York from 1 to 26 August 2022, President Ignazio Cassis calls for concrete measures in view of slow pace on nuclear disarmament.

Das Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport (VBS) und das Finanzdepartement (EFD) haben ein Projekt eingesetzt, das die Strukturen für die interdepartementale Koordination in den Bereichen Sicherheit und Cyberrisiken überprüfen soll. Damit werden Aufträge erfüllt, die der Bundesrat 2019 erteilt und 2022 präzisiert hat. Als Projektleiter wurde Martin Dumermuth, ehemaliger Direktor des Bundesamtes für Justiz, eingesetzt.

There are clear indications of war crimes in Bucha and other places in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court is investigating the reports. Switzerland supports its investigation. This Q&A focuses on the role of the International Criminal Court and on how such investigations are carried out.

Weather forecasting, transport systems, energy and financial transactions – space technologies keep us safe and are drivers of prosperity. Switzerland is committed to the peaceful, safe and sustainable use of outer space. Natália Archinard represents Switzerland in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). We asked her about the challenges here on Earth and in outer space.