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“We hope that the 20th anniversary of the ceasefire agreement signed in 1994 will be celebrated in spirit of armistice. We are sure that the region will benefit from the settlement of the conflict,” said the ambassador of Swiss Confederation to Azerbaijan Pascal Obisher in an interview with Azerbaijani news agency APA.

The ambassador noted that the Chairmanship of Switzerland in OSCE is based on the slogan “Creation of a safer society for everyone”

“Security and stability are important for the well-being of people living in all parts of Europe. Recently, the President of the Swiss Confederation, the OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter said that OSCE is engaged in serious work to make progress in resolution of protracted conflicts, including Nagorno Karabakh. During its presidency Switzerland will support the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group and maintenance of contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil societies,” said Swiss ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Pascal Obisher as well noted that under the auspices of Chairmanship Switzerland will try to maintain contacts between people on different levels. “We hope that high-level mediation efforts and initiatives of civil societies will complement each other. Of course, it is impossible to make progress overnight and for the resolution of the conflict the strong will of the parties is required,” he said.

When answering to the question of whether there are plans to continue the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, which as well was launched in Switzerland, Pascal Obisher said, “Peace between nations is the main objective of Swiss foreign policy. Neutrality allows Switzerland to act as a mediator in a variety of contexts. Switzerland, especially Geneva has extensive experience in conducting meetings and conferences at high level. Switzerland offers good opportunity for the countries which don't have diplomatic relations. For example, Switzerland presents U.S. interests in Cuba and Iran as well as interests of Cuba in U.S. Switzerland has a similar mandate in regard to Russia and Georgia.”

The ambassador noted that on October 10, 2009 Switzerland was a mediator of the process in Zurich, the result of which was the Turkish-Armenian protocols. “Switzerland welcomes the efforts of international community and the governments of both countries directed to normalization of the relations. We support the work of both countries to normalize relations but the direction and speed, of course, should be identified by them”, he said.

Summarizing the ambassador said that the president of Switzerland, incumbent OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter will pay a visit to the South Caucasus before the summer.