No:513/23, Press release on the meeting of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation
20 September 2023 02:18
On 19 September 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, within the framework of his participation in the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is facing serious challenges, and informed the other side about the latest developments taking place in the region.
It was stated that on 19 September, in response to a number of large-scale military provocations and terrorist attacks by Armenian armed forces in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, as well as the death of civilians and our servicemen, an anti-terror operation was carried out by our side.
It was stated that the operations are aimed at ensuring the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, disarming and withdrawing formations of the Armenian armed forces from our territories, neutralizing their military infrastructure, ensuring the security of the civilian population and our servicemen, and restoring the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and that the civilian population is not targeted under any circumstances.
It was emphasized that the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan and the dissolution of the so-called regime.
It was stated that Armenia is engaged in a smear campaign against Azerbaijan with false and groundless allegations about the alleged existence of a “blockade” and “humanitarian crisis” in the region in order to abuse individual states and international organizations, and is trying to preserve separatism in the territory of Azerbaijan by all possible ideological, political, military, financial and other means.
It was stated that contrary to Armenia’s expectations, most members of the UN Security Council opposed the politicization of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and called for the opening of all routes for the transportation of such cargo, and that despite all this, Armenia continues its political manipulations and spreads fabricated allegations.
Minister Ignazio Cassis stated that the Swiss side, based on the principles of neutrality, is ready to contribute to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
During the meeting, an exchange of views was also conducted on other issues of mutual interest.
