Switzerland is pushing for peace: the return of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh is demanded!

Switzerland is pushing for peace: the return of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh is demanded!

In a significant step towards resolving the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a peace treaty initiated at the White House was signed today. Christian Solidarity International (CSI) was pleased with this progress and is now calling for the implementation of the Swiss peace initiative for the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The deal was signed by Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and marks a turning point in the two countries' strained relations. CSI warmly welcomes this agreement, which came about as a result of intensive diplomatic efforts under the auspices of US President Donald Trump. Dr. John Eibner, President of CSI, congratulated Trump on his mediation success.

Over 120,000 displaced Armenians are urgently awaiting return to their homeland, and the Swiss initiative calls for this return to be an integral part of a stable peace plan. At the same time, the Swiss parliament has given the government a mandate to organize a peace forum between Azerbaijan and representatives of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. The co-presidents of the Swiss Peace Initiative, Stefan Müller-Altermatt and Erich Vontobel, emphasized that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the return of the Armenians.

The background of the peace process

The White House meeting at which the peace treaty was signed not only brought together the two heads of state, but also a significant strategic step towards the creation of a new trade route, the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). This route is intended to give Azerbaijan access to its Nakhichevan exclave through Armenian territory, and the first negotiations on this are expected to begin next week. Trump called this moment a historic step and emphasized that they had “finally made peace.”

Aliyev called the day a step towards “eternal peace in the Caucasus,” while Pashinyan called the agreement a “significant milestone.” These explanations contrast with the tensions that still prevail. Despite the agreement, there is still no final peace treaty between the two countries and Armenia's domestic political situation remains tense. Pashinyan is controversial and Azerbaijan continues its pressure on Yerevan, including demanding constitutional changes.

Regional responses and challenges

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has historical roots that go back to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nagorno-Karabakh, which belongs to Azerbaijan under international law, was controlled by ethnic Armenians until autumn 2023. After Azerbaijan recaptured it, over 100,000 people fled the region. Azerbaijan can rely on military superiority and support from oil and gas exports as well as Türkiye and Russia.

The prospect of the new corridor route has long been controversial, but the new agreement aims to promote conflict-free trade in the region. This move is also seen as an attempt by the US to consolidate its geopolitical influence, while Russia, Armenia's former protecting power, sees the agreement as a strategic defeat. Iran raises concerns about possible territorial impacts. Hostage-taking remains another major issue, as several dozen Armenian prisoners remain imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

In summary, it remains to be seen how the political developments in the coming weeks and months will affect peace in the region. With a clear focus on the return process of displaced Armenians and the stability of peace, much remains to be done. As CSI emphasizes, stable peace and positive development can only be achieved if concrete steps are taken.

Further details on this topic can be found in the reports from Press portal and SRF.