In the question session on June 15, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis responded to questions from National Councillor Erich Vontobel (EDU, ZH). Vontobel was concerned about the ongoing injustices inflicted on the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and wished to know about the implementation of the motion. The motion calls for the organization of a peace forum for open dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
Cassis will not talk with Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians
In his response, Federal Councillor Cassis stated that it is not possible for the Swiss government to talk to representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh. Switzerland does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as a sovereign entity and hence maintains no contacts with its representatives. In general, no relations are maintained with parts of the population of another state.
Contradictory position of the Federal Council
However, this reasoning contradicts Switzerland's storied history of repeatedly working with non-state actors within its diplomatic missions. For example, in June 2025, when Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority. Switzerland has always been committed to mediating peace with non-state representatives, such as the FARC rebels in Colombia or the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
Negotiating with everyone is Swiss tradition
Swiss policy traditionally assumes that conflicts can only be resolved through talks. Anyone who wants to mediate must therefore speak with all parties involved, regardless of whether they are governments, rebel groups, ethnic minorities, or other conflicting parties. This was articulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a policy statement on Swiss mediation efforts in 2008.
Interpellation by National Councillor Müller-Altermatt
At this point, an interpellation from National Councillor Stefan Müller-Altermatt (The Centre) ties in. He directs the following questions to the Federal Council:
1. Does the Federal Council recognize the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh as a de facto state at least had partial subjectivity under international law?
2. How is it that the Federal Council negotiates with non-state representatives using its Good Offices, but refrains from dealing with Nagorno-Karabakh because of a lack of sovereign entity?
3. What does the Federal Council do to uphold international law in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, where its population has been violently displaced, its representatives are illegally imprisoned, and its millennia-old cultural assets are being wantonly destroyed?
4. How does the Federal Council plan to fulfill its mandate from the transposed motion 24.4259 and seek dialogue with representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh?
The public has a right to transparency
For John Eibner, international president of CSI, Swiss parliament members and the public have a right to know why Foreign Minister Cassis is not fulfilling his parliamentary mandate. Eibner: "Why is he abandoning the long-standing Swiss tradition of cooperating with everyone, including non-state actors, in the search for peace?" Christian Solidarity International calls on the Federal Council not to delay further, but to initiate the peace forum according to Motion 24.4259 now.
National Councillor Nik Gugger newly on the committee
The committee supporting the Swiss peace initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh is growing. Newly joined is National Councillor Nik Gugger (EVP). He too is convinced that Switzerland's long-standing tradition of neutrality and mediation qualifies the country to promote a credible and sustainable peace process that prioritizes the safety of people and justice for the victims of displacement.
More information on the Swiss peace initiative: www.swisspeacekarabakh.com
Press contact: Simon Brechbühl, CEO CSI-Switzerland, +41 44 982 33 40, simon.brechbuehl@csi-schweiz.ch Rolf Höneisen, Head of Communication CSI-Switzerland, +41 44 982 33 77, rolf.hoeneisen@csi- schweiz.ch