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The parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh appeals to Federal Councillor Cassis – peace initiative should become a reality

MEDIA RELEASE

Bern, February 10, 2026

Ashot Danielyan, President of the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh, has written to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. He is asking the Federal Council to implement the Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Forum, which was approved by Parliament. The non-partisan committee "Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh" supports this appeal.

In his letter of February 2, 2026, Parliamentary President Danielyan recalls that almost a year has passed since the adoption of Motion 24.4259 , "Peace Forum for Nagorno-Karabakh: Enabling the Return of Armenians," by both chambers of the Swiss Parliament. He praises the adoption of the motion as a "rare and significant act of moral clarity" in an international environment otherwise characterized by diplomatic inertia.

The motion instructs the Federal Council to organize a forum, hosted by Switzerland, for dialogue between representatives of Azerbaijan and the displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. The aim is to negotiate the safe and dignified return of the historically resident Armenian population to their homeland. Danielyan emphasizes that the approximately 150,000 displaced people do not intend to change the geopolitical order or undermine the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Speaker of Parliament concludes his letter with the hope that the motion "will be implemented and will open up a credible and principled path for the displaced people of Nagorno-Karabakh to realize their most fundamental right: a safe and dignified return to their homeland."

The committee supports the appeal.

The non-partisan committee "Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh" fully supports the appeal by Parliament President Danielyan. Founded in Bern in May 2025, the committee advocates for a sustainable political solution to the conflict and supports the Federal Council in implementing its parliamentary mandate.

“President Danielyan’s letter underscores the urgency of the matter,” explains Erich Vontobel, co-president of the committee and member of the National Council (EDU). “Switzerland has sent a strong signal by adopting the motion. Now we expect the Federal Council to fulfill this parliamentary mandate and convene the Peace Forum promptly.”

Stefan Müller-Altermatt, co-president of the committee and member of the National Council (The Centre Party), adds: “Switzerland has a long tradition as a mediator in international conflicts. The displaced population of Nagorno-Karabakh deserves for this tradition to be applied in their case as well.”

background

Following the displacement of 150,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, the International Court of Justice is demanding their right of return. Swiss Motion 24.4259 takes up this issue and instructs the Federal Council to establish a dialogue forum between the conflicting parties. This proposal is supported by a broad alliance of Swiss political parties and parliamentarians from various countries.


Contact for inquiries:


Erich Vontobel, National Councillor EDU, +41 79 459 90 61

Stefan Müller-Altermatt, National Councillor The Centre Party, +41 76 332 15 26


Further information: www.swisspeacekarabakh.com

Enclosure: Letter from Ashot Danielyan, President of the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh, to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis dated February 2, 2026

The press release as a PDF:


 
 
 

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