SWISS FEDERAL COUNCILOR MICHELINE CALMY-REY: WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS WILL ACHIEVE AN AGREEMENT ON THE KEY PRINCIPLES

APA
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Helsinki. Kamala Ramazanova – APA. APA’s interview with Swiss Federal
Councilor Micheline Calmy-Rey

– Lady 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?

-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.

– A number of documents, including memorandum of collaboration in the
energy area, have been signed between Azerbaijan and Switzerland. Do
these documents implement the intended collaboration?

– 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.

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

-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.

– 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?

-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 ! To 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.

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

-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.

– 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?

-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.