Azerbaijani ambassador to Switzerland: Opinions greatly differ among Turks...

Day.Az: Why did Switzerland become a mediator in improving relations between Turkey and Armenia in terms of developing the very protocols that are likely to be signed in the coming days? Is it because of a Switzerland’s neutral position or something else?

Elchin Amirbayov: I think, first of all, it is actually linked with neutrality of Switzerland declared back in 1515 and recognized by other European powers in the Congress of Vienna in 1815, exactly 300 years later. Switzerland's neutral status has helped not only to avoid war on its territory, thus saving the unity of the country, but also to pursue an active foreign policy, often acting as a mediator. To this day Switzerland in some cases represented the interests of countries that have no official relations.

So, there is representative of U.S. interests at the Embassy of Switzerland in Cuba and in Iran. After a well-known events in August last year in Georgia, Switzerland undertook a similar mission in Moscow and Tbilisi.

It should be noted that these mediation services are provided, as a rule, on the initiative or with the consent of the involved parties in conflict situations. In addition to the factor of neutrality, let's admit that the small size and lack of great power ambitions of the prosperous state in the heart of Europe also contribute to a positive perception as an honest broker by the parties to the conflict without any "veiled agenda." Thus, it is no accident that the choice of the afore-said countries focused on Switzerland.

Q: What is the attitude to the Turkey-Armenia normalization in Switzerland? What local politicians, political scientists, public figures say and what is the general mood in the light of the fact that in this country there are a considerable number of both Turks and Armenians?

A: If you refer to political community of Switzerland, it would be an exaggeration to say that this issue seriously and deeply occupies minds of local politicians, political scientists or public figures. Maybe small notes on this subject was posted on newspapers on a couple of times thus far. If you conceive that this question will be put on national referendum (referendum in Switzerland is a normal practice), I think most people who are not aware of details of the issue, but at the same time being committed to the idea of the special role that their country has traditionally played as a mediator and conciliator, most likely would support the government's efforts in this regard.

As for the position of Turks and Armenians living here, it is quite unnecessary to talk about unity in the estimates. Let's start with the fact that the Turks in Switzerland are about 110,000 people while persons of Armenian descent, according to various estimates, range 4,000 to 6,000. Opinions differ greatly among the Turks: from support the idea of rapprochement with Armenians with all its consequences to the complete rejection of this idea in the face of continued occupation by Armenia of the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Very recently our embassy received a letter from one of the Turkish diaspora organizations in Switzerland which said that they do not share policy of the Turkish leadership on this issue. Armenian diaspora bitterly opposed to the signing of the protocols viewing the move as a betrayal of national interests by the Armenian leadership primarily because it agrees not to the revision of history, but following the lead of Turkey calls into question the fact of "genocide"  - a kind of raison d'etre throughout the Armenian diaspora. This position is consonant with the position of former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is also a "product" of the Armenian diaspora of the Syrian spill.

Q: Are people aware of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Switzerland and do they share a view that Turkey's borders with Armenia must not open without resolution of the conflict?

A: The people will learn more about the problem of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Switzerland, and dissemination of impartial and complete information on all aspects of the problem is one of the main tasks of the embassy. Every year on occasion of anniversary of the tragic Khojaly events the embassy together with Azerbaijanis residing in Switzerland  organizes various events aimed at raising awareness of the general public in Switzerland about the essence, history and consequences of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.

As to opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, as I noted above, the local population is not aware of all the subtleties of this issue and therefore unlikely to have a certain position on this issue. As for the position of the Swiss government, it is convinced that progress and real momentum in Armenian-Turkish problem will have a positive impact on the overall stability and security in South Caucasus region, including the prospects of Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement. However, the Swiss are aware that these two processes should to some extent move in parallel.

Q: How many Azerbaijanis live in Switzerland?

A: I can not give exact number of Azerbaijanis living in Switzerland today. The numbers are constantly changing. Besides, it all depends on the criteria of counting. The majority of Azerbaijanis who have settled here are those who moved here from Turkey and Iran. They are about 2,000. Compatriots from the Azerbaijan Republic make up only 200-250 people. There are patriotic individuals among them who despite the change of residence, are actively interested in historic events taking place in homeland, maintain close communication with the embassy and some are self-involved in activities to raise awareness about Azerbaijan among the local population. In addition, number of Azerbaijani students in Switzerland is growing.

Q: How active is the Armenian diaspora in Switzerland?

A: As an additional information on the number of persons of Armenian origin living in Switzerland, I must emphasize that most of them live in the French-speaking part of the country and for the most part are representatives of the intellectuals and business circles. Unlike other ethnic groups represented in the rich immigration palette of Switzerland, Armenians are very well integrated into Swiss society. The Armenian church plays a special role in coordinating activities of the Armenian community Here, perhaps, Switzerland is no exception.

/Day.Az/