Switzerland to Become United Nations' 190th Member By REUTERS Filed at 1:55 p.m. ET UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Switzerland makes a historic entry into the United Nations on Tuesday with a nod to both its traditional neutrality and a fresh commitment to human rights, world peace and the struggle against poverty. The U.N. General Assembly is due to admit Switzerland as its 190th member as one of the world body's first official acts after opening its 57th session on Tuesday afternoon. Afterward, President Kaspar Villiger and other Swiss officials will join U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a ceremony marking the raising of the Alpine nation's flag -- a white cross on a red background. Villiger, in remarks to reporters ahead of the ceremony, thanked the United Nations for tolerating Switzerland's unique flag, which is square while all others -- with the exception of Nepal's, which has a pointy design -- are rectangular. But unless the wind is blowing hard, ``they will all look about the same,'' Villiger said. Staunchly protective of their neutrality, the Swiss voted in March by a narrow margin to join the United Nations, taking a significant step away from their traditional isolationism as the Alpine nation bowed to the need to foster foreign ties. It is the first country to join the world body after a popular vote. ``We've all waited a long time for this day. In a way, it feels as if the family of nations has finally come together and this is really wonderful,'' Annan told Swiss officials at a morning meeting. ``We look forward to working with you as a full member of this organization.'' NEUTRALITY ``IN NO WAY SELF-SERVING'' True to their hard-working and conscientious reputation, the Swiss are already pondering what exactly their role will be in the world body and how it will affect their neutral status. ``It is greatly important to us that the principle of neutrality, which is deeply rooted in Switzerland, retains its validity,'' Villiger said in remarks prepared for the day's festivities. But Swiss neutrality ``is in no way self-serving,'' he said. ``There is no neutrality in the face of crime. Neutrality is an instrument that can contribute in its own way to the achievement of common values and goals.'' Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss said the Swiss would carve a niche for themselves by focusing on human rights and democracy, the start-up of the International Criminal Court and reforming U.N. sanctions regimes so they better target outlaw governments without unwelcome side effects. ``The United Nations is not perfect, as we all know, but as an organization its role is more vital than ever,'' Deiss told a news conference. ``Unilateralism and isolationism lead nowhere. This is just as true for big countries as for smaller ones.'' Asked how Switzerland would deal with Iraq, where President Bush has been pressing for ``a regime change,'' Deiss said the United Nations should initially pursue all available avenues for the readmission of arms inspectors ``in a peaceful manner.'' ``Any action of another kind -- including military action -- should be based on a legitimacy which can only be given by the Security Council,'' he said. The federation of 7.2 million people is no stranger to the United Nations. Switzerland has long been tied to the world body as one of the largest contributors to the U.N. budget and host to its European headquarters in Geneva. The wealthy mountainous state of 7.2 million people is marking the occasion with typical reserve as the sober Swiss refuse to let the celebratory bubble and fizz go to their heads. While images of the event are being beamed back home, pomp and ceremony are likely to be notable only by their absence on the immaculate streets of Swiss cities. ``Raising flags and clinking glasses is not how it's done,'' said the mass circulation Blick newspaper. ``If Switzerland wants to achieve anything in the world body, the diplomats will have to roll their sleeves up.''