SWITZERLAND'S INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STATUS AS A PERMANENT NEUTRAL STATE

Abstract

This article presents a system-wide analysis of the Switzerland's legal status as a permanently neutral state. It is especially emphasized that this specific legal personality of the Central European state is considered in international legal science and practice to be more regulated and, therefore, well-established. In determining the relevance of the issue under consideration, an important conclusion can also be drawn that, from the 1990s to the present, Switzerland has been engaged in a certain "evolutionary process" in the political and legal understanding of permanent neutrality as a means of ensuring national and international security. The main objective of the authors is to study the main aspects of the legal nature of this phenomenon through doctrinal views, the current constitution and international legal instruments that recognize and guarantee the permanent neutrality of Switzerland. At the same time, the article notes that the normative content of this special international legal status, observed by the state both in peacetime and during the war, not only arouses great interest among scientists, experts, practitioners, but also requires further comprehensive constructive analysis in the light of the ongoing processes of globalization, integration, and, sometimes, nationalization of the state's approaches to the essence of its obligations.
 During the development of the topic, authors used such general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition as synthesis, structural and formal-logical methods, as well as modeling and system analysis methods. In the conclusions, the authors emphasize the need for real respect and observance by third States of Switzerland's continuous neutrality, as a significant component in the modern functioning system of pan-European security.