Baku: The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum has addressed an open letter to Thomas St¤hli, the Swiss Ambassador to Azerbaijan. The letter outlines concerns over perceived systematic attempts to foster an anti-Azerbaijan narrative within Switzerland.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the letter criticizes activities under the auspices of a 'Peace Forum' in the Swiss Parliament, which are seen as encouraging revanchism in Armenia and undermining the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The letter accuses these efforts of promoting hostility towards Azerbaijan, damaging regional peace efforts, and reigniting separatist sentiments.

The forum highlights provocative actions against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly noting the rhetoric of Swiss parliamentarians who claim the Karabakh issue remains unresolved. The letter mentions Erich Vontobel's meetings in Yerevan with revanchist figures and criticizes Christian Solidarity International's framing of the Karabakh issue in a religious context as slanderous.

The letter states that initiatives promoting such narratives, especially when endorsed by Swiss parliament or religious organizations, exemplify double standards and contradict objectivity and neutrality principles. It condemns the approach as biased and detrimental to Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization efforts.

Concerns are also raised about the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which the forum accuses of political activity against Azerbaijan's sovereignty, including opening an unauthorized office in Khankendi. The letter recalls past incidents where the ICRC allegedly engaged in smuggling activities in Azerbaijan.

The letter questions the Swiss Embassy in Azerbaijan's past actions, such as sheltering Emin Huseynov and facilitating his departure under disguises, and the current role of Switzerland in Huseynov's activities against Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, representing hundreds of Azerbaijani NGOs, expresses readiness to meet with Ambassador St¤hli to discuss these concerns.