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.
