Turkey and Armenia asked us to mediate their process: Swiss FM

APA: Mrs. Calmy-Rey, Azerbaijan is holding culture days in Switzerland right now. Could you get acquainted with Azerbaijan culture? Do you think the development of the relations can influence the expansion of the cooperation between the two countries?

Micheline Calmy-Rey: The festival culturescape shows an impressing variety of Azerbaijani culture. I am glad that there is a possibility for a large public to get acquainted with your culture now. Myself, I already traveled to Azerbaijan and had the chance to see Baku personally.

Our two cultures have much in common: Switzerland has traditionally linked the Germanic North and the Latin South of Europe. Azerbaijan, however, has been a proverbial bridge between East and West. This is something which is felt in the work of the artists of both our countries. I am sure that the festival culturescape will bring artists of our countries together and will foster collaboration between Switzerland and Azerbaijan.

Q: A number of documents, including memorandum of collaboration in the energy area, have been signed between Azerbaijan and Switzerland. Do collaboration reflected in these documents is implemented?

A: Yes, All the elements of cooperation in the energy field which are mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Azerbaijan and Switzerland in the energy field are supposed to be implemented. However, I cannot at the moment indicate an exact timeframe for this to happen. The implementation of the MoU is a dynamic and multi-layered process. It is currently still in its early stages but Switzerland is committed to advance it step by step in close cooperation with our partners from Azerbaijan.

Q: Switzerland shows interest in importing and delivering Azerbaijan’s gas to Europe, is it possible to sign any new document in the area?

A: In the MoU in the energy field our two countries both expressed their interest in developing a cooperation and partnership in the field of the transportation and delivery of natural gas and oil from the Caspian region to Europe. Again, the operationalization of this mutual expression of interests is still ongoing. For the time being, there are no concrete plans with regard to signing a new document concerning this.

Q: Neutral Switzerland mediates in the normalization of Turkey and Armenia relations, is it appropriate mediation to neutrality principle? In which form mediation will continue in future? Why has Switzerland been chosen as a mediator in Turkey-Armenia negotiations?

A: Neutrality does not mean that we should just stand aside and not care about what is happening in the world! It does not mean that we should abstain from assisting our friends and partners when they ask us to do so!

On the contrary, our neutrality allows us to be active in such sensitive situations, where the parties involved know that we are going to do our best no matter what, in a fair and impartial manner, without any ulterior motive but to contribute to peace, stability and human security and development.

This is what our humanitarian tradition and our policy of good offices are all about. And this is exactly why Turkey and Armenia asked us to mediate their process - because they knew that they could fully trust us. We are grateful for that trust, and very happy that we could contribute to this historic process.

Q: Do you think the normalization of the Turkey -Armenia relations will contribute to the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

A: The two processes are running in parallel and they should both go forward as rapidly as their own respective dynamics make it possible. We support the Minsk Group process, and we are pleased to note that the negotiations in this framework have been going on intensively during the last year or so.

We very much hope that the forthcoming meeting between President Aliev and President Sargsyan will again contribute to further strengthen this positive momentum, and that an agreement on the key principles will soon be achieved. If anything, the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia showed that political courage, genuine commitment and the wisdom to compromise can bring about remarkable results.

The situation in the region is complex and delicate, but I am convinced that the positive developments between Turkey and Armenia can and will have a positive influence.

Q: What will Switzerland do as the mediator if the protocols are not ratified by the parliaments of the two countries? Is Switzerland working with the sides for the ratification of the protocols at present, or the mission of your country has ended with signing of the protocols?

A: The mandate that we received from the parties was to assist them in coming to an agreement which would allow them to normalize their relations. This was achieved with the conclusion and then the signing of the two protocols. Beyond that, Switzerland remains of course in contact with the parties. We encourage them not to lose the momentum and to proceed diligently with the ratification process, so that the implementation of what was agreed can rapidly start.

Needless to say, we fully support this process which, we are convinced, will greatly benefit both countries, both peoples and eventually the whole region. We are of course ready, if so requested by the parties, to continue to be of assistance in this context.

All along the “Berne process”, we witnessed a remarkable and unyielding political commitment to move forward, in spite of all tensions and difficulties. I know that this commitment is still there, and I very much hope that it will very soon bear fruits.

/APA/