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On October 5 the RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan received the Delegation led by Ueli Leunberger and Dominique de Buman, Co-Chairs of Switzerland-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Council, Lower Chamber of the Swiss Parliament.

Welcoming the guests in the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan noted that in the dimension of foreign policy the relations with Switzerland and their further deepening was greatly highlighted for Armenia.

In the word of the Head of the Parliament a political dialogue of high level has been formed between Armenia and Switzerland and unprecedented development of relations has been registered, atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding exists. As Hovik Abrahamyan noted, the inter-parliamentary active relations between the two countries have also essentially contributed to it, and such visits serve as a basis that give opportunity for two parliaments to more enlarge in future the already established cooperation. The NA President expressed satisfaction that Switzerland-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group had been included with new members who enjoy big authority.

Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the Parliamentary Group for visiting Nagorno Karabakh.

In his turn thanking for warm reception Dominique de Buman, Co-Chair of Switzerland-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group has noted that the Armenian-Swiss parliamentary relations had good traditions, the mutual visits are of regular nature, and this is not their first visit to the RA National Assembly. In his word, the enhancement of all ideas, the cultural initiatives, the long-term interests should first of all be expressed by the peoples and their voters.

He touched upon the activity of the Swiss Parliament for the benefit of Armenians, particularly, on December 16, 2003 the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Swiss MPs, as well as the establishment of the Swiss Embassy, to which the Parliamentary Friendship Group had greatly promoted.

Dominique de Buman also highlighted the necessity of activation of bilateral economic relations and cooperation in international organizations.

He noted that the Delegation was impressed by his visit to Nagorno Karabakh, where he had opportunity to see, know and feel the life and reality of the Artsakh people, who had chosen their path of living independent.

“It is very important that Switzerland will assume the OSCE Presidency in 2013, and it’s very important that we will be able to transfer to our delegates all we have seen and understood in Karabakh. It will help that this international organization adopts balanced stance,” Dominique de Buman noted.

Highly assessing the democratic processes he expressed readiness to promote transferring the democratic experience existing in Switzerland. “I also observe the principle of the peoples’ self-determination in these principles,” the Swiss deputy said. He called on the Armenia-Switzerland Friendship Group to be more active, promoting the lasting, stable welfare of two cultures sand economies.

Touching upon the issue of extradition of murderer Safarov by the Hungarian authorities to Azerbaijan and heroizing him by the leadership of this country, the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan noted that it was beyond all moral and legal standards, and it was negatively assessed by the international community. “It’s not appropriate that the authorities of the European Union member country took such step, knowing beforehand that murderer in Azerbaijan would become a hero,” Hovik Abrahamyan said, noting that the Armenian side expects more practical steps from the international community, use of punitive measures both towards the Hungarian and Azerbaijani authorities. In his word, the murder has been committed on the ethnic ground, which is a consequence of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy. “There is no alternative: Karabakh can never be part of Azerbaijan,” the NA President noted, underlining that the RA and NKR authorities see the solution of conflict exclusively through peaceful negotiations.

Touching upon Armenia-Turkey relationship the Head of the Parliament reminded that the protocols signed in Zurich also supposed ratification by the parliaments. However, as repeatedly showed the history, this time Turkey refuted its word. As to Hovik Abrahamyan, Armenia sees the solutions of all regional problems through peaceful negotiations.

Ueli Leunberger, Co-Chair of Switzerland-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, noted that it was inadmissible for them Safarov’s extradition by Hungary, and what the Azerbaijani President did, and the deputy had also stated about this in the Swiss Parliament. “We attentively follow what takes place in Karabakh and in the region, and we wish the conflict to be solved through peaceful way,” Ueli Leunberger said.

As regards to the Armenian-Turkish relations, according to Ueli Leunberger, Turkey should listen to the voice of chastity. “Most likely, the Turkish people should call on its Government for that chastity and the distinct stance of international community can help the Turkish people,” the Swiss deputy opined.

In the course of the meeting other issues of bilateral interest were discussed.