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Switzerland advances the Armenian-Turkish process

Politics

Armenia praises Switzerland for supporting Armenia's initiative to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, said the NA Chairman during his meeting with the newly elected President of the Swiss Confederation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Michelin Kalmi-Rey within the framework of the official visit.

Hovik Abrahamyan emphasized that, though there was an agreement to establish relations without preconditions, Turkey set preconditions that are inacceptable for Armenia. The NA Chairman mentioned that RA President Serzh Sargsyan took into account the Turkish parliament's unnecessary delays for ratifying the Protocols, called back the Protocols from the Armenian parliament's agenda, but kept Armenia's signature and respected the intermediaries' high reputation.

According to the Swiss Foreign Minister, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations cannot remain incomplete and the sides are currently negotiating to create favorable conditions to continue the process. "Switzerland is determined to advance the process," said Kalmi-Rey in closing.

According to the NA press service, during the meeting the sides also addressed the Karabakh conflict settlement and attached importance to the peaceful settlement of the conflict through peaceful negotiations.
The NA Chairman also had a meeting with Chairwoman of the Swiss Council of States, Mrs. Erika Forster Vanini and Chairwoman of the National Council Mrs. Pascale Bruderer Wyss.

During his meeting with Wyss, NA Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan emphasized that European integration is one of the primacies of Armenia's foreign policy and Armenia is aware that democracy is the most powerful weapon to confront the challenges facing the country. He mentioned that Switzerland's experience is very important in the context of reforms taking place in Armenia, particularly in terms of strengthening democratic institutions and protection of human rights.

The Chairwoman of the Swiss National Council mentioned that the Swiss people and the government place importance on further development and deepening of relations with Armenia.

Mrs. Pascale Bruderer Wyss also noted that Switzerland is interested in normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations and will do everything possible to continue the process. Mrs. Wyss placed importance on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that Armenia also views the Karabakh conflict settlement in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group and that Azerbaijan's frequent bellicose statements and ceasefire violations don't contribute to the conflict settlement and the process of negotiations.