BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. The lasting peace
is now within reach as a result of the progress made between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the signing of a peace agreement will
be an important step for stability and prosperity in the region,
Member of the Federal Council of Switzerland and Head of the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
Ignazio Cassis, said at a joint briefing with Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku today, Trend's correspondent
reports from the event.
Cassis noted that this is his first visit to Azerbaijan as both
the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of Switzerland
and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.
He pointed out that Switzerland and Azerbaijan have
long-standing and friendly relations.
"Our regular high-level contacts, economic relations, and
cooperation within the framework of the Bretton Woods institutions
have built strong trust between our countries," he also said.
According to the minister, the meeting discussed further
development of bilateral relations, expansion of economic
cooperation, and creation of a stable environment for
investments.
Cassis noted that the parties agreed to meet again in New York
in the coming weeks within the framework of the high-level week of
the UN General Assembly.
He announced that the geographical location of Azerbaijan makes
the country an important regional hub between Central Asia, the
South Caucasus, and Europe.
"The development of the Middle Corridor and the formation of
reliable, diversified trade routes are of great importance for an
open and sustainable global economy," Cassis emphasized.
The Swiss minister said that the situation in the South Caucasus
was also discussed at the meeting.
"Switzerland welcomes the progress made towards peace between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. Almost a year after the start of the peace
agreement process, sustainable peace is now within reach," he
noted.
According to him, Switzerland is proud to have made a certain
contribution to the peace process against the backdrop of good
relations with both countries.
Cassis called on Azerbaijan to continue the necessary efforts to
sign and implement the peace agreement.
"This will be an important step towards reconciliation,
stability, and prosperity for the peoples of both countries and the
region as a whole," he said.
The minister added that Switzerland is ready to support the
peace process if the parties so request and has been contributing
to dialogue and confidence-building measures in the South Caucasus
for many years.
Cassis further noted that the situation in the Middle East and
the Russian-Ukrainian war were also discussed at the meeting.
According to him, the Russian-Ukrainian war remains the most
serious challenge to European security and the principles on which
the OSCE is based.
"We are trying to maintain a real dialogue. Our goal is for the
parties to sit at one table and discuss how to implement the
Helsinki principles," he said.
Cassis emphasized that the OSCE cannot stop the war alone, but
if a ceasefire is achieved, the organization must be ready to
contribute to ensuring a just and lasting peace.
In conclusion, he invited Bayramov to the meeting of the OSCE
Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Lugano in December and
expressed Switzerland's intention to expand cooperation with
Azerbaijan in all areas of mutual interest.
