06 06 23- SWITZERLAND CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN GRAVEYARD IN NAKHIJEVAN

By-Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily 14/06/2006
Armenia occupies a key area in the South Caucasus from the viewpoint of Switzerland's interests, Micheline Calmy-Ray, foreign minister of Switzerland, said at the press conference in Yerevan. She added that
Switzerland is going to make the visa regime with Armenia easier.

As for the Armenian-Turkish relations, Mrs. Calmy-Ray stated that Switzerland, having recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide, is ready to contribute to the improvement of relations between Armenia and Turkey. At the same time, she added that "at present, unfortunately, all efforts are doomed to failure." Mrs. Calmy-Ray stated that her country heavily condemns the destruction of Armenian graveyard in Nakhijevan carried out by the Azeri authorities. In this connection, Switzerland applied to UNESCO with a complaint. Mrs. Calmy-Ray also reminded that the PACE Commission for Preservation of Cultural Heritage will visit south Caucasus in September.

V.V