Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society representatives have convened for a new round of dialogue under the ‘Peace Bridge’ initiative, as both sides seek to sustain engagement ahead of key political developments in the region.
Azerbaijan hosted another bilateral roundtable within the ‘Peace Bridge’ initiative from 10 to 12 April, bringing together civil society, expert and media representatives from both countries for a three-day meeting.
The Armenian delegation entered Azerbaijan via the Tavush- Gazakh section of the interstate border on 10 April, passing through a delimited and demarcated area and completing all required border procedures.
Organisers described the crossing as a symbolic step aimed at strengthening confidence-building between the two societies.
Farhad Mammadov, the Azerbaijani national coordinator of the initiative and Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus, said: “As a result, we are now witnessing constructive dialogue at the political level, the first steps towards economic cooperation, and the emergence of a bilateral dialogue between the civil societies of the two countries.”
Areg Kochinyan, coordinator of the initiative and president of the Armenian Council, said: “This is a significant symbolic step in itself. It confirms how real peace is and how close we are to implementing the peace agenda agreed upon in Washington and, prior to that, during our leaders' meeting in Abu Dhabi.”
Participants discussed developments in the South Caucasus and their impact on the peace process, exchanging views on regional dynamics and national perspectives.
The agenda also included broader geopolitical issues such as the Russia- Ukraine War and tensions involving Iran, alongside domestic political developments and public perceptions of peace.
Commenting on the role of the Track 2 format and its broader impact, Boris Navasardian, speaking to AnewZ, said the initiative allows continuous engagement between meetings and helps maintain communication across different layers of society in both countries.
He noted that, despite the upcoming Armenian parliamentary elections and a stronger focus on internal politics, the process remains active, although decision-making momentum appears relatively slow during the pre-election period.
The meeting follows momentum from the trilateral summit of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the United States held in Washington on 8 August 2025, which established a framework for ongoing engagement.
Separate sessions focused on strengthening societal-level peace initiatives and building trust for future stages of the process.
The current round is seen as the final meeting before Armenia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for 7 June, which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has framed as a choice between continued peace efforts and the risk of renewed conflict.
On the second day, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department, met participants for two hours, responding to questions raised by the Armenian side.
He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to the Washington peace agenda and noted progress in practical cooperation, including established trade links and transit arrangements. Hajiyev also said the implementation of the TRIPP project would significantly reshape regional transport infrastructure.
In a post on X, Hajiyev described Track 2 diplomacy as a bilateral process supported by both governments, while also raising concerns about rhetoric in Armenia.
During the previous session in Armenia in February, Armenian National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryanalso met participants and engaged with questions from the Azerbaijani side.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United S...
At least two people have been killed and several injured after a car drove into a crowd in the eastern German ci...
At a time when geopolitical tensions continue to ripple across multiple regions, from Ukraine to the Middle East, ...
Austria has expelled three diplomats from the Russian Embassy over concerns that satellite installations on diplomatic buildings could be used for ...
Recent developments across the Middle East show political messaging is moving beyond traditional channels, with public art and AI-generated content...
At least two people have been killed and several injured after a car drove into a crowd in the eastern German city of Leipzig, local broadcaster MDR reported, citing police.
At a time when geopolitical tensions continue to ripple across multiple regions, from Ukraine to the Middle East, the South Caucasus once again finds itself at the crossroads of diplomacy and uncertainty.
Austria has expelled three diplomats from the Russian Embassy over concerns that satellite installations on diplomatic buildings could be used for espionage.
A Russian missile strike killed six people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Monday (4 May), as Kyiv reported fresh attacks on energy infrastructure and a sharp rise in drone strikes on ports.
At least two people have been killed and several injured after a car drove into a crowd in the eastern German city of Leipzig, local broadcaster MDR reported, citing police.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United States would "guide out" ships stranded in the Gulf by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
At a time when geopolitical tensions continue to ripple across multiple regions, from Ukraine to the Middle East, the South Caucasus once again finds itself at the crossroads of diplomacy and uncertainty.
A court in Sydney is set to review a non-publication order in the case of former Australian SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, who is accused of war crime murder in Afghanistan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged Iraq’s prime minister-designate to form a government which reflects the country’s religious and ethnic diversity.
Uzbekistan has unveiled a series of major economic and regional initiatives as more than 4,000 delegates from over 100 countries gather in Samarkand for the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held under the theme “Crossroads of Progress.”
Minval Politika has released a third set of footage it says shows former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discussing the use of artificial intelligence in a project linked to Armenia and ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment