Swiss Lawmakers Call on Federal Council to Organize International Peace Forum on Nagorno-Karabakh

BERN — A motion introduced by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Swiss National Council is calling on the Federal Council to organize an international peace forum on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The aim is to facilitate an open dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, conducted under international supervision or in the presence of internationally relevant actors, in order to negotiate the safe and collective return of the historically resident Armenian population.

“Since Azerbaijan’s last military advance in September 2023, Nagorno-Karabakh has been emptied of its Armenian population, except for a few people who are unable to travel. Fearing another genocide like that perpetrated against the Armenians in 1915, the historical population was forced to leave their homeland within a few days. The region has since experienced documented ethnic cleansing: Armenian cultural heritage, such as churches, monasteries and cemeteries, are systematically destroyed or reinterpreted under the guise of “renovation” with forged historical documents. Despite these serious developments, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh maintain their desire to return to their homeland under security guarantees from the international community, to determine their own political future and to exercise democratic self-government,” the motion reads.

The legislators note that Switzerland has successfully acted as a neutral mediator in international conflicts on several occasions in the past. “Most recently, the Federal Council hosted a peace conference on Ukraine on the Bürgenstock in June 2024. Switzerland has also already provided valuable services in relation to Armenia: in October 2009, under Swiss mediation, the “Zurich Protocols” were signed between Armenia and Turkey, which aimed to normalize bilateral relations. Federal Councilor Micheline Calmy-Rey was even awarded Armenia’s medal of honor for her commitment,” they remind.

The lawmakers stress that given the close cooperation between Switzerland and Azerbaijan in the field of energy policy, it is in the Swiss Confederation’s economic interest to promote lasting and stable peace in the region. “This includes, in particular, the restoration of the basic rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. An international peace forum organized by Switzerland could make a decisive contribution to resolving the conflict, enable the return of the displaced persons and thus contribute to stabilizing the entire region.”

“Switzerland has the unique opportunity to use its proven role as a neutral mediator to initiate a constructive dialogue between the conflicting parties. Such a commitment would not only continue Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition but would also strengthen its position as a reliable partner in international diplomacy,” the motion says.