Oskanian: By initiating this Peace Forum, Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to humanitarian dialogue and peace in the South Caucasus

ArmInfo. The right of return  for displaced persons is a cornerstone of international law,  supported by numerous legal precedents and international  declarations.  Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian  commented on the decision of the Council of States of Switzerland to  adopt the Motion titled "Peace Forum on Nagorno-Karabakh: Enabling  the Return of Armenians".

The diplomat recalled that 29 out of 46 members of the Council of  States have voted for the initiative urging Swiss authorities to  establish a dedicated forum for dialogue between representatives of  Nagorno- Karabakh and Azerbaijan. He added that the aim of this  initiative is to facilitate the safe, collective and dignified return  of the displaced Armenian population to their ancestral homeland.  Oskanian also noted that the decision of the Council of States  followed the adoption of the same proposal by the National Council on  December 17, 2024.

" With both chambers now in agreement, Motion 24.4259 assumes the  force of law, obligating the Federal Council to proceed with its  implementation. Deputy Tiana Angelina Moser (Green Liberal Party /  Zurich) served as the rapporteur in the Council of States, while the  original author and rapporteur in the National Council was Deputy  Erich Vontobel (Swiss People's Party / Zurich). This marks the first  time both houses have passed a decision on an Armenian issue," the  former head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry noted. 

" The right of return for displaced peoples is a cornerstone of  international law, supported by numerous legal precedents and  international declarations. In particular, the International Court of  Justice's ruling of November 2023 and the European Parliament's  resolutions from March and October 2024 reaffirm this principle,  calling on Azerbaijan to enable the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to  return home safely and with dignity. By initiating this Peace Forum,  Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to humanitarian dialogue,  international law, and constructive diplomacy in support of long-term  peace in the South Caucasus," Oskanian concluded.