Switzerland not capable of changing situation in Karabakh conflict

This was stated by Azerbaijani experts, commenting on the appointment of Swiss special envoy for the South Caucasus after the call to this country from Turkey.

"Azerbaijan needs stability in the South Caucasus in order to implement existing strategic programs. Therefore, our country welcomes efforts of any country or international organization that would like to help us achieve peace and make progress in the settlement of the Armenian- Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," MP Asim Mollazada has told 1news.az.

However, in his opinion, if such world powers as the US, Russia and France have not succeeded in resolving the conflict, there are doubts that Switzerland will be able to provide substantial assistance in this matter.

"I think that unfortunately, this country does not have enough influence on Armenia to make official Yerevan begin serious work on a peace agreement and change the vector of its policy," said Mollazada.

Political scientist Fikrat Sadikhov, in turn, said that there is intensification of diplomatic efforts of Switzerland. "This country is going to chair the OSCE in 2014. Zurich at the time was a platform where in 2009 protocols were signed on normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, which, because of the Armenian side, didn’t materialize. Switzerland is a neutral state, which strictly adheres to this principle," said the analyst. According to him, Switzerland can come up with concrete proposals and call on Armenia to implement the UN Security Council resolutions, but it is not the state that is able to provide substantial assistance in making any drastic decisions in the process of conflict resolution.

"The authority of Switzerland and its weight on the international stage are unlikely to allow it to do so. The solution to this conflict is largely dependent on the leading countries - the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States, as well as a number of countries that are the locomotive of the EU," said Sadikhov.