YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Swiss president Micheline Calmy-Rey arrived in Armenia late Wednesday and held meetings with top Armenian officials including President Serzh Sarkisian on a number of issues related to Swiss-Armenia cooperation.
She was also on hand for the opening of the Swiss embassy in Armenia, which will be helmed by Konstantin Obolensky.1
Upon Sarkisian’s invitation, Calmy-Rey visited the Dzidzernagapert Memorial Monument and placed a wreath at the memorial for the Armenian Genocide victims. Calmy-Rey also watered a fir at the Memorial Alley which was planted in 2006.
On December 16 2003, the Swiss Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and criminalizing its denial.
At a joint press conference with Sarkisian, Calmy-Rey also touched on the Turkey-Armenia protcols.
“Formally, the Swiss mediation ended with the signing of the Zurich protocols,” she said. “However, I wouldn’t say that we have washed our hands and are indifferent to what is happening between Armenia and Turkey.”
“Switzerland wants the process of protocol ratification to resume and we are ready to do everything that would encourage the parties,” explained Calmy-Rey.
The Protocol shoud be trashed, will do NO good for Armenia
This is great news about Swiss and Armenian relations deepening, the Swiss are brillant people and have for many years traded with Armenia.