'Peace is strengthening': outcomes of the third meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani experts
Armenian–Azerbaijani experts’ third meeting
The implementation of the peace agenda endorsed at the Washington summit on 8 August 2025, its impact on the region, and cooperation across a wide range of fields — from the economy to culture — were among the topics discussed by Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society representatives at the third round table of the Bridge of Peace initiative.
As JAMnews previously reported, the meeting took place in the Armenian resort town of Tsaghkadzor on 13–14 February. Twenty experts from the Armenian side and 19 from Azerbaijan took part in the discussions.
“In Yerevan and Baku, we have essentially made the first attempts to break the iron curtain. From the very first meeting, neither side had any difficulty raising the issues that concern them. All the topics being discussed in our societies are also voiced at this table,” said political analyst Areg Kochinyan, head of the Armenian Council analytical centre.
Participants summed up the two days of discussions at a press conference. The coordinators of the Bridge of Peace initiative, Areg Kochinyan and Farhad Mammadov, stressed the importance of the meeting’s expanded format, which included representatives of the expert community and the media.
“This expansion is not an end in itself. It is aimed at bringing in new participants who share our views or hold completely different ones,” Kochinyan said.
Mammadov said the initiative operates in two parallel directions: work with Armenian and Azerbaijani societies, and the development and implementation of joint projects. He added that ideas for future initiatives had already been outlined.
“We have launched specific projects that we are now working on. These include joint articles, research and other initiatives, whose implementation will determine the progress of our effort,” Kochinyan added.
The organisers also shared details of the round-table discussions, meetings with Armenian officials, assessments of the two-day talks and the future prospects of the initiative.
- ‘Armenia breaks free from Russian-Turkish grip’: reaction to JD Vance’s visit
- Pashinyan and Aliyev receive the Zayed Prize for Peace Efforts: why it matters
- ‘Military escalation unlikely, but risks remain’ — Armenian Foreign Intelligence Service report
The first meeting between civil society representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan took place in Yerevan in October 2025. A month later, Armenian experts travelled to Baku. Each side is represented by five permanent experts.
After the second meeting, it was announced that the sides had agreed to continue working contacts and reciprocal visits. By then, the initiative had been named the Bridge of Peace.
Representatives of civil society from the two countries discuss all the issues on the agenda of the official negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, from the signing of a peace treaty to the unblocking of regional communications.
“An important precedent”: Azerbaijani experts cross the land border
The Azerbaijani delegation arrived in Armenia by land, not by plane as it did in October 2025. Nineteen Azerbaijani experts crossed the interstate border at the Tavush–Gazakh section. They walked through the area near the Azerbaijani village of Ashagi Askipara and the Armenian village of Voskepar. This part of the border has been delimited and demarcated.
The Azerbaijani delegation returned home the same way. Participants in the initiative called it “another practical step to build trust”.
“We are living through a historic period. Our crossing of the border was a symbolic step. For the first time in many years, civil society representatives are crossing the border on foot, through a delimited and demarcated section. This is not only a logistical move. It is also a psychological milestone, both for us and for our societies,” said Kamala Mammadova, editor-in-chief of the online outlet 1news.az and a participant in the round table from Azerbaijan.
According to Boris Navasardyan, honorary president of the Yerevan Press Club, the crossing set an important precedent.
“Our Azerbaijani partners crossed the border. It was a brave step on their part to be the first to do so, and to walk through a demarcated section of the frontier,” he said.
Main topics of discussion
Participants in the initiative say they spent two days discussing the current stage of Armenian–Azerbaijani relations and future prospects. In that context, the experts addressed:
- Economic opportunities that have emerged during the peace process and as a result of changes in the regional security environment;
- The delimitation of interstate borders and the reopening of transport links;
- The opportunities that a lasting peace could create, as well as the social and economic benefits of closer ties between the two societies;
- Public expectations in both countries and the steps needed to deliver tangible results from the peace process for their citizens.
Round-table participants
“A separate session focused on cooperation among the participants in the dialogue. They discussed ideas for joint programmes, communication strategies and mechanisms for interaction between the two societies,” the organisers said.
They paid particular attention to trust-building, people-to-people diplomacy and encouraging contacts between the societies.
“Regular contacts within this format can make a significant contribution to building mutual trust, expanding professional cooperation and gradually normalising Armenian–Azerbaijani relations,” participants in the Bridge of Peace initiative said.
Meetings with officials
Participants in the Bridge of Peace initiative also met senior officials. The organisers said they held an open discussion and exchanged views with Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan and Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan.
Meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan and Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan
The foreign ministry did not disclose details of the meeting. However, some information emerged about the participants’ talks with the Security Council secretary. Armen Grigoryan welcomed the Azerbaijani civil society representatives who had arrived in Armenia. He stressed that bilateral contacts in this format play an important role in building mutual trust and developing good-neighbourly relations.
“Armen Grigoryan briefed his interlocutors on progress in the peace process. He also discussed the economic opportunities created by the reopening of regional communications, as well as the current dynamics in Armenian–Azerbaijani relations,” the Security Council said.
Participants’ views
Boris Navasardyan, honorary president of the Yerevan Press Club:
“I would say that sincerity is growing and deepening within this format of dialogue. First of all, we are beginning to understand each other better. Understanding also means recognising what is possible and what is not in this process.
I think the agenda we are shaping will be useful for decision-makers. This initiative serves as a platform for additional dialogue, of which the authorities in both countries are fully aware. They can build their work on the basis of the product we create.”
Farhad Mammadov, director of the South Caucasus Research Centre:
“Everyone understands that peace must follow war. We have been moving towards this path for quite some time. The Azerbaijani government has spoken about a peace treaty and a peace agenda for several years. This forms part of its policy.
The parameters of peace are what matter — what kind of peace it will be. These are very important elements, because we often encounter scepticism in public opinion. The parameters of peace remain unclear. It will not be like in Soviet times; it will be something new.
Economic interaction between the countries is already taking place. There is high-level dialogue between the governments and the leaders. At the same time, the geopolitical environment is changing — and not for the better. Society sees new wars and threats emerging. Yet between Armenia and Azerbaijan, peace is strengthening. This creates favourable conditions for society to accept the peace agenda.”
Narek Minasyan, political analyst:
“Our task is to try, despite the тяжёлое наследие прошлого, to find points of contact that will allow us to move forward and make this peace process irreversible. I attach great importance to forming realistic expectations around this initiative.
Observations on the ground after recent meetings show two main categorical approaches.
The first is an overestimation of the initiative’s capabilities, which leads to inflated expectations. Some believe this format obliges us to discuss issues that are not actually within our competence but fall under the responsibility of governments. For example, border delimitation. We raised this issue and voiced our concerns during the meeting, but the decision-making process lies with the government.
The second approach is the belief that the initiative is pointless and cannot change anything. At least from our experience, we can say with confidence that it does have an impact and a positive effect — both in terms of changing narratives and generating new ideas.”
“Inside view”: impressions of a JAMnews editor
Naira Martikyan, JAMnews editor for Armenia, also took part in the round table. She later shared her impressions with colleagues in the Armenian newsroom:
“A very important process of normalising relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is under way. The Bridge of Peace initiative is one of its components, though its role may not yet be clear to everyone. That was my impression when I read comments on social media about this first expanded meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani experts.
In short, I would like to assure everyone that the conspiracy theories voiced by some politicised circles have no basis in reality.
The initiative is trying to become a bridge between the two societies. It aims to build economic ties and promote joint work among scientists, researchers, cultural figures, artists and journalists.
I will not dwell on the meeting’s agenda, as there have already been detailed reports and press conferences by the Bridge of Peace participants. Instead, I will share my personal impressions.
First of all, I want to thank the organisers. They planned everything down to the smallest detail and scheduled it minute by minute. That allowed us to discuss a wide range of important issues that concern both sides.
Most importantly, we had an open conversation without any censorship. Participants could speak frankly, hear honest answers and see each other’s faces and emotions.
That is extremely important when trying to build dialogue and cooperation between societies that have decades of conflict behind them.
We also discussed various joint projects that could help our societies understand each other better. As it seemed to me, my Azerbaijani colleagues showed interest in my proposal. There is no final decision yet, but I hope JAMnews will be able to carry it out together with our Azerbaijani partners. Without revealing details, I can say it will be a unique project even for our outlet, where joint Armenian–Azerbaijani materials have never been unusual.
A return visit by the Armenian participants is also planned within the Bridge of Peace initiative. I hope to share equally positive impressions after the meeting in Azerbaijan.”
Armenian–Azerbaijani experts’ third meeting
Armenian–Azerbaijani experts’ third meeting
