Vartan Voskanian: Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to humanitarian dialogue

Former Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vartan Voskanian, writes: “Today, the Council of States—the upper house of the Swiss Federal Assembly—adopted Motion No. 24.4259 titled “Peace Forum for Nagorno-Karabakh: Enabling the Return of Armenians.” With 29 of its 46 members voting in favor, the Council endorsed the initiative urging Swiss authorities to establish a dedicated forum for dialogue between representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The aim of this Swiss-led effort is to facilitate the safe, collective, and dignified return of the displaced Armenian population to their ancestral homeland.

The Council of States’ decision follows the earlier approval of the same motion by the National Council, the lower house of Parliament, 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 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.”