OSCE Chairperson-in-Office concerned about fragility of Karabakh conflict's ceasefire

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. Switzerland, which assumed the OSCE Chairmanship on January 1 of the current year, will be guided by the following slogan: “Creating a Security Community for the Benefit of Everyone”. “Armenpress” News Agency introduces exclusive interview with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter.

- In 2014 Switzerland took the OSCE chairmanship. The Swiss Chairmanship will work under the leitmotif “Create a Security Community for the Benefit of Everyone”. Its geographic priorities were announced to be conflict prevention and resolution in Western Balkans and South Caucasus. How exactly does the new Chairmanship intend to support the peaceful resolution to the protracted conflict of Nagorno Karabakh?

- Generally speaking, we will support the existing formats, which are the Minsk process with regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Geneva International Discussions addressing the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia. I have appointed Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger as my Special Representative for the South Caucasus and we agreed with the Republic of Serbia that he will be reappointed under the Serbian Chairmanship in 2015. On behalf of the OSCE, Mr Gnaedinger will co-chair the Geneva International Discussions and participate in the meetings of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Ergneti.

Switzerland will not be directly involved in the negotiation process on Nagorno-Karabakh, but will support and accompany the work of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. I reappointed Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk as my Personal Representative in this mediation process. He will ensure the link between the Minsk co-chairs and the Chairmanship. As outlined in my opening speech in Vienna on 16 January, the Chairmanship will try to create a conducive environment for the negotiation process and encourage people-to-people contacts in the region.

- What is your stand on the full participation of Nagorno Karabakh - the key stakeholder in any enduring settlement - in the peace process?

- Since the Swiss Chairmanship is not directly involved in the negotiation process, we do not comment on the format and participation in the process.

- On January 14 you received the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. What were the main points you discussed and outlined for the future?

- Indeed I received the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and my Personal Representative on 14 January in Bern. The main subject was the cooperation between the CiO and the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs and Ambassador Kasprzyk informed me about the situation on the ground and on the next steps foreseen in the Minsk process.

- How do you assess the present round of Nagorno Karabakh conflict negotiation process held with the mediation of OSCE Minsk group?

- I am glad that high-ranking meetings have intensified in recent weeks. The Co-Chairs met with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan most recently on 24 January in Paris. The meeting was another opportunity to explore possible avenues as well as next steps in the negotiations.

- Azerbaijan regularly commits fatal cross-border attacks, and is threatening to use its rapidly expanding arsenal of arms to restart its open aggression and plunge the region into conflict. What measures does the Swiss Chairmanship plan to undertake in order to put an end to Azerbaijani aggression and make that country obey the terms of the cease-fire?

- I deeply regret the violent incidents which still occur in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. My thoughts are with the families of the victims.

The fragility of the ceasefire was among several issues discussed in Bern on 14 January in depth, along with possible ways of strengthening the arrangements already in place.

OSCE teams visited the Line of Contact on 23 January. I strongly encourage the sides to make full use of the opportunity these exercises provide for direct communication, and so to reduce tensions.

- One can frequently hear people criticizing the OSCE and saying that the OSCE expresses artificial even-handedness toward Armenia and Azerbaijan, thus putting sign of equality and taking no notice of aggression of Aliyev’s authorities and attacks against the Armenians.

- Impartiality and evenhandedness are indispensable preconditions for any mediation efforts. Therefore the OSCE, including the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, attach great importance to a balanced and considerate way of communication.

- Do you plan to visit South Caucasian region in the nearest future? If yes, what will be the chief aim of your visit and when will it take place?

- Various official visits to OSCE participating States will take place during the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship, including to the South Caucasus and Western Balkans. Preparations are ongoing. However, detailed information will be available at a later stage.