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.
An Indian healthcare provider plans to invest $50 million in diagnostic and pharmaceutical projects in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region, aiming t...
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, marking a setback in his ongoing legal ...
Hungary’s election winner Péter Magyar has said he does not support Ukraine’s fast-track entry to the European Union and will up...
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a five-day visit to China, his fourth trip in four years, highlighting Spain’s push to stre...
Nine suspects have been formally arrested over last week’s gun attack near Israel’s consulate in Istanbul, judicial officials have said...
An Indian healthcare provider plans to invest $50 million in diagnostic and pharmaceutical projects in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region, aiming to expand access to advanced medical services between 2026 and 2028.
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, marking a setback in his ongoing legal battles with major media organisations he accuses of publishing misleading coverage.
Hungary’s election winner Péter Magyar has said he does not support Ukraine’s fast-track entry to the European Union and will uphold an opt-out allowing Hungary to avoid contributing to a €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a five-day visit to China, his fourth trip in four years, highlighting Spain’s push to strengthen economic and strategic relations with the world’s second-largest economy.
Hungarians vote in elections on Sunday that could see the end of hard right nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s more than 15 year rule. Opinion polls show Orbán’s Fidesz party trailing 45-year-old Péter Magyar’s centre-right opposition Tisza party.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators held their highest-level talks in half a century in Pakistan on Saturday in an effort to end their six-week war, as President Donald Trump said the U.S. military had begun the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz.
At least 30 people were killed on Saturday in a stampede at Haiti’s Laferrière Citadel World Heritage Site, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise.
Israel has reprimanded Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv after a giant effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blown up in a Spanish town.
Donald Trump has warned that any Iranian ships approaching a declared U.S. blockade zone in the Strait of Hormuz will be “immediately eliminated”, as tensions escalate over maritime restrictions in the Gulf. The comments come after weekend peace talks in Pakistan failed to reach an agreement.
An Indian healthcare provider plans to invest $50 million in diagnostic and pharmaceutical projects in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region, aiming to expand access to advanced medical services between 2026 and 2028.
Nine suspects have been formally arrested over last week’s gun attack near Israel’s consulate in Istanbul, judicial officials have said. The assault left one attacker dead and two Turkish police officers lightly wounded.
The reopening of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Iran reflects the “special relationship” between the two countries, a regional expert has said.
Cement maker Lafarge was found guilty by a French court on Monday (13 April) of paying millions to jihadist groups, including ISIS, to keep a plant running during the Syrian civil war.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that talks with Pakistan had been positive, while Türkiye stressed the importance of stronger ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment