Parliament backs loosening war export rules

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Switzerland is moving toward easing its strict rules on war-material exports.

Currently, the laws designed to protect neutrality prohibit selling of arms to countries in conflict and also stops those countries from re-exporting them.

This is now proving highly restrictive for many European countries, which have been traditionally good customers for Swiss weaponry, as they wish to send munitions to Ukraine.

Some, notably Germany, have said that they will stop buying Swiss products because of the limitations. 

The House of Representatives is backing loosening the rules, arguing the global security environment has shifted.

Economic Minister Guy Parmelin told lawmakers the revisions won’t undermine Swiss neutrality, and that each case will still require a careful balancing of interests. 

The proposal now returns to the Senate for final adjustments.

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