President Serzh Sargsyan’s remarks at the joint press conference with the President of Switzerland Micheline Calmy-Rey

Ladies and Gentlemen:

My distinguished colleague and I have just concluded our very comprehensive discussion on the issues of mutual interest. We stressed the importance of the high-level dialogue formed in the recent years between our two countries which, in this brief period of time, has been reflected in our reciprocal visits and has been symbolized by the opening in Yerevan of the Swiss Embassy. Presence of resident Ambassadors in our two countries will undoubtedly give a new impetus to our friendly relations and will further the development of our cooperation.

We concur that cooperation between Armenia and Switzerland has great potential and expressed mutual interest in full utilization of all opportunities for the enhancement of our economic cooperation.

I proposed to my Swiss colleague to establish mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of jewelry and watch production, agriculture, as well as tourism, education, science, and culture, encouraging the representatives of the mentioned areas to implement their business projects.

I expressed my sincere contentment to the leadership of Switzerland for Armenia’s participation in the honorary guest status at the 25th International Book Fair in Geneva. Yesterday, I participated with the utmost pleasure at this major event in the world literary life and witnessed warm welcome and esteem that Armenia’s five-hundred year old book printing history received in Switzerland, and elucidation at the Fair of the Armenian history, culture, works of the Armenian masters of literature and Armenian artists. I would like to recognize special role of the Armenian-Swiss community in the arrangement of this event.

Our participation at this Fair forestalls and gives start to a series of events to be organized in Armenia and abroad which are dedicated to the 500th anniversary of book printing in Armenia and UNESCO decision to declare Yerevan the Book Capital of the World for 2012.

With Mrs. Calmy-Rey we have also exchanged views on the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and on the South Caucasus issues. I will not tire to express my appreciation to friendly Switzerland and especially to Madam President, a mediator in the Armenian-Turkish negotiations, for her invaluable personal contribution.

We wanted to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions. Unfortunately, the Turkish senior officials do everything to repel that want. In lieu of taking steps toward the ratification of the Protocols, Turkey, using international podiums, carries on with her wasted efforts to drive a wedge between Armenia and Diaspora. The longer Turkey persists in these efforts, the lesser will become our confidence in the process of normalization, which has already diminished significantly. I am surprised that Turkey doesn’t fully realize that Diaspora, which emerged as a result of the Armenian Genocide, is the indivisible part of the Armenian nation, our pride and our strength. The Armenians of Diaspora are Armenia’s ambassadors spread all over the world, just as our Ambassador in Switzerland Charles Aznavour. For many of them it’s their heart calling, and they work on a voluntary basis. They are worthy citizens of the countries which had given them refuge; but at the same time, they bring their input in the advancement and development of our country. From the first days after Armenia regained independence, our compatriots all over the world have been able to prove by their deeds that Armenia’s advancement is their greatest dream.

In this context, I would like to invite your attention to another important issue: Switzerland’s mediating mission in the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is the best proof that recognition of the Armenian Genocide clouds relations between Turkey and the country, which recognized the Genocide, for just a short while. As we saw, by recognizing the Genocide, Switzerland has condemned that horrendous crime against humanity and thus, in unanimity with justice, unbeatable historical facts and priority of human rights has defeated every economic, military and geopolitical consideration. However, mostly importantly, soon after the recognition did not preclude Switzerland from supporting the process of the Armenian-Turkish normalization. With this regard, Switzerland’s example is, of course, the best one and should set an example for many countries of the world.