Switzerland has taken a decisive step to allow other countries to re-export Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

The relevant committee of the lower house of parliament adopted a proposal allowing the re-export of weapons to conflict zones under certain conditions. The initiative was adopted by 14 votes against 11.

One of the next steps will be a decision by the entire lower house of parliament.

The proposal calls for allowing the Swiss government to override provisions prohibiting re-export in agreements with other countries if the weapons in question are to be sent to a conflict zone, which has been condemned as a violation of international law by a two-thirds majority of the UN General Assembly.

Traditionally neutral Switzerland faced criticism from Germany and Spain for blocking shipments of Swiss-made ammunition to Ukraine.

According to the committee, the decision did not contradict neutrality, since Switzerland would not supply arms directly to the conflict zone, but would only allow other countries to do so.

The majority of the committee is of the opinion that Switzerland should contribute to European security and therefore provide more support to Ukraine, the deputies said in a statement.