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Swiss Armed Forces

Implementation

This sub-area is particularly concerned with the exchange of military information between the individual member states foreseen in the various agreements and regimes. Information exchange is evaluated by both Switzerland and the other member states. The results and analyses serve the states as basis for the regularly held negotiations to evaluate and develop the respective regimes as well as their own verification activities. Furthermore, as part of the implementation aid, Switzerland gives support to member states lacking the necessary expertise or without sufficient resources to implement obligations undertaken relating to the various agreements and regimes (capacity building). The transparency established through these measures forms a further column of CSBMs.


We must distinguish between the following information exchanges:

 

Information exchange within the context of the OSCE according to VD 99 (§9-15)

  • Annual Exchange of Military Information (AEMI);
  • According to Vienna Document 1999, member states are obliged to provide information on their armed forces annually precisely defined in the document regards military organisation, personnel strength and main weapon systems and equipment in the zone of application for confidence and security-building measures (CSBMs) (Vienna Document 1999, Para 9).

Other information exchanges: 

  • Annual Exchange of Information on Defence Planning; 
  • Military Budget;
  • Data on Main Weapons and Equipment Systems including photographic documentation.

Other implementation mechanisms relating to the OSCE

Congress
  • Global Exchange of Military Information (GEMI)
    In addition to the Annual Exchange of Military Information (AEMI), this document contains further information (such as information on military transport aircraft, basic training aircraft and various categories of ships) and the status as per 1 January is exchanged on 30 April every year 
  • Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting (AIAM);
  • Meeting of the Heads of Verification Centres for the exchange of experiences and information about technical aspects of the implementation of CSBM (HoV);
  • OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security (CoC);
  • OSCE Communications Network.

Implementation aid

As part of the implementation aid, Switzerland gives support to member states lacking the necessary expertise or without sufficient resources to implement obligations undertaken in accordance with the Vienna Document. Such assistance comprises primarily the transfer of expertise and 'capacity building' regarding information exchange and running the OSCE communications network.

For questions about this page: Communication of Defense
Last updated: 28.02.2011

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