Switzerland has backed a tightening of measures to expel spies, targeting Russian intelligence agents in particular, reports "Reuters".
With this background, Bern is preparing to host a major summit aimed at paving the way for peace in Ukraine.
With 32 votes "for" and nine "against" Late last night, lawmakers from the upper house of parliament approved the proposal, titled "systematic expulsion of Russian and other foreign spies," which was also supported by President Viola Amherd in an address to parliament.
"Foreign countries must feel that Switzerland is reacting to breaches of its security and defending itself,", Amherd said about two weeks before her government welcomed representatives from dozens of countries to Ukraine peace talks.
Amherd indicated that the government wants to consistently expel intelligence officials whose activities threaten Switzerland's security or its role as a host nation, while stressing that the proposal would not lead to automatic decision-making.
Francisca Roth, an MP from the center-left Social Democratic Party and one of the proponents of the measure, said neutral Switzerland was a "magnet" for spies due to the concentration of international organizations in the country.
This is especially true of Russian spies, according to local intelligence services, she added.
In Roth's words, Switzerland must show "zero tolerance" to espionage. She pointed out that the proposal should serve to strengthen the mechanisms for control and expulsion of spies.
As the motion was already backed by the lower house in December, the government must now act on it.
On June 15-16, Switzerland will host a high-level meeting near the city of Lucerne aimed at paving the way for a future peace process regarding the incursion of Russian forces into Ukraine.
So far, Russia has not been invited, with Switzerland justifying its decision by saying that Moscow has repeatedly stated that it has no interest in participating.