SWITZERLAND became the 190th member of the United Nations on Tuesday, preserving its historic neutrality but stepping more actively onto the world stage.

　　The admission of Switzerland was one of the first orders of business at the opening of the new session of the General Assembly, the gathering place of the world's nations. Delegates burst into applause when the new assembly president, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, declared Switzerland the 190th member.

　　French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, on behalf of Switzerland's five neighbors, recommended its application for membership after more than 50 years on the sidelines.

　　"The role of Switzerland is now crucial on issues of development, international law and human rights," he said. "The entry of Switzerland will strengthen the United Nations."

　　De Villepin noted that Switzerland was the only nation to decide to join the United Nations after a popular referendum, which would strengthen "the democratic premise of our organization."

　　In a Swiss referendum in March, 55 percent voted in favor of U.N. membership, heeding a government campaign that said rejection would be disastrous for the country's international standing and that neutrality had lost much of its meaning.

　　A 1986 vote overwhelmingly rejected U.N. membership.

　　At the end of the French minister's speech, Kavan asked whether the General Assembly would accept the recommendation for Switzerland's membership "by acclamation."

　　When delegates burst into applause, Kavan banged his gavel and said, "I therefore declare the Swiss Confederation admitted to membership in the United Nations."

　　Earlier Tuesday, Swiss President Kaspar Villiger said his country's entry into the United Nations would not compromise its traditional neutrality, a stance many Swiss considered irrelevant following the end of the Cold War.

　　"We can be neutral and be a good member of the United Nations," said Villiger, who opposed U.N. membership in 1986. "The values and aims of the United Nations are also the values and aims held by Switzerland."

　　Switzerland's mandate of neutrality dates back to at least 1815 and was written into the 1848 Swiss constitution.

　　Switzerland long has been an observer at the United Nations, but membership will allow it to vote in the General Assembly, introduce resolutions and serve on U.N. bodies.

　　The government says membership should cost an extra $42 million a year — on top of the $330 million it already pays to international organizations.