YEREVAN. – Switzerland remains convinced that pursuing efforts towards normalization between Armenia and Turkey is key for the stability and peaceful future of the region, the Swiss foreign ministry said.

“Switzerland takes note that the Zurich Protocols, signed in 2009, have not been ratified by the Armenian and Turkish parliaments and that the process, on the official level, has thus come to a halt,” Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement sent in response to the written inquiry by Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Armenia-Turkey protocols were signed in 2009 in Zurich with the mediation of Switzerland.

According to the Swiss foreign office, since 2009, both societies have become increasingly aware of the need for normalization of relations. They recall that numerous contacts also at an unofficial level, between private sector representatives, journalists, civil society and academia have taken place since the signature of the protocols which intended for the creation of a joint historical commission, the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of borders. 

“Switzerland remains convinced that pursuing efforts towards normalization is key for the stability and peaceful future of the region. Switzerland remains available to support this process if requested, ” the statement reads.

Last week President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to terminate the process of signing of Armenia-Turkey protocols.