"Bridge of Peace" initiative to foster regular exchanges between Azerbaijani, Armenian experts

As part of the "Bridge of Peace" initiative, civil society representatives and experts from Azerbaijan and Armenia will undertake regular reciprocal visits to Baku and Yerevan, aiming to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement was made at a press conference by Areg Kochinyan, a member of the civil society delegation, who visited Baku on November 21-22 as part of a four-person team, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Kochinyan emphasized that both Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities played an active role in organizing the visit and ensuring the safety of participants.

“We asked our Azerbaijani colleagues how they felt in Yerevan. They assured us that it was completely safe. I can confidently say the same about our own security,” he stated.

A group of Armenian civil society representatives— Areg Kochinyan, Boris Navasardyan, Naira Sultanyan, Narek Minasyan, and Samvel Meliksetyan — met with their Azerbaijani counterparts Farhad Mammadov, Rusif Huseynov, Kamala Mammadova, Ramil Isgadarli, and Fuad Abdullayev during the visit.

The discussions focused on the ongoing dynamics of the peace process, the role of civil society in strengthening dialogue, and plans for joint projects in the near future. The participants also addressed issues of common concern to Azerbaijani and Armenian societies regarding the peace agenda.

A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to intensify joint work in the media space, to build direct links between expert groups, and to deepen civil-society involvement in peacebuilding.

During their stay, members of the Bridge of Peace group met with Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan.

In their conversation, they reviewed the steps taken by both countries since the Washington meeting and discussed ways to further reinforce the peace agenda. Hajiyev responded to questions from the delegation.

By Vafa Guliyeva