Peace initiative in Washington: Hope for Bergkarabach?

Peace initiative in Washington: Hope for Bergkarabach?

Bergkarabach, Armenien - on July 8, 2025 was Washington, D.C. The scene of a decisive briefing from the Swiss Peace Initiative for Bergkarabach. Representatives from various political camps gathered to discuss the possibilities of how the United States could promote peace in South Caucasus after 37 years of conflict. The National Councilor Erich Vontobel and his colleague Lukas Reimann were among the participants, as did John Eibner, the international president of CSI, and Vartan Oskanian, former Foreign Minister of Armenia. Presseportal reports that in this context the humanitarian crisis in Bergkarabach was particularly discussed.

The situation for the Armenian population in the region has been dramatically escalated, especially in recent months. According to information from Akweb , almost all of the approximately 120,000 Armenians from Bergkarabach have fled after they were exposed to brutal hunger blockade for months. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev already considers the ethnic cleaning of the area to be reached. This development follows a military attack on September 19, 2023, in which Azerbaijan wanted to force the surrender of the Armenian authorities living there with the accusation of an anti-terrorist operation.

a fair peace or ethnic cleaning?

dr. During the briefing, John Eibner asked the crucial question of whether the US government could create a fair peace on the basis of an ethnic-religious cleaning. The high numbers of displaced people are alarming. In 2020, 30,000 Armenians from Bergkarabach were already sold. And also the latest events, in which over 100,000 people fled between the 21st and 30th September 2023, throw a disturbing light on the humanitarian situation. csi indicates that the situation is catastrophic due to months of blockage and the lack of humanitarian aid.

Vontobel reported on his moving encounters with refugees who ask for return. "The silence of the United States about the displacement of 150,000 people is unacceptable," said Oskanian. At the same time, Vontobel pointed out that the peace initiative does not require pressure through sanctions or military interventions, but rather calls for a dialogue.

politics and humanitarian responsibility

While the Armenian parliament tried to hold Azerbaijan over the account of war crimes, the international community remains rather hesitant. At a meeting of the UN Security Council on September 21, 2023, there was no hearing for the suggestions of Armenia to create a peace force or to send a UN mission to Bergkarabach. The humanitarian crisis is getting worse, as reports on the shelling of civil goals and the blocking of the Latschin corridor. Akweb speaks of a shocking lack of basic food, medication and other goods.

In view of the economic connections between Switzerland and Azerbaijan, especially through the State Fund Socar, the question of political responsibility is becoming increasingly relevant. John Eibner and his colleagues ask the decision -makers in Bern to finally find answers to the victims of this crisis. "No words without deeds," warns Eibner, calling for civil society to work for the oppressed.

The situation in Bergkarabach remains tense and uncertain. Azerbaijan has recently indicated that it may be planning aggressive measures against Armenia in order to control strategically important corridors. In such a turbulent environment, the dialogue is more in demand than ever to nourish hope for peace and a return of the displaced persons.