GABALA, Azerbaijan, April 11. The city of
Gabala, Azerbaijan, hosted a bilateral roundtable within the
framework of the “Peace Bridge” Initiative, bringing together
representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society, Trend’s special correspondent
reports.
The latest roundtable convened representatives of
non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and think tanks from
both countries.
The Armenian delegation arrived in Azerbaijan via the land
border, crossing through a formally delimited and demarcated
section and undergoing all relevant border and passport control
procedures. The crossing itself constituted another symbolic step
by the “Peace Bridge” Initiative toward strengthening
confidence-building measures between the societies of Azerbaijan
and Armenia.
Over the course of two days, four discussion sessions were held.
Participants discussed geopolitical developments in and around the
South Caucasus and their impact on the peace process. Azerbaijani
and Armenian experts also exchanged views on the respective
positions and visions of Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding regional
developments.
Prior to the bilateral dialogue, representatives of the “Peace
Bridge” Initiative held meetings and discussions with various
segments of civil society in their respective countries in order to
better understand public expectations and perceptions of the peace
process. During a separate session, participants in the “Peace
Bridge” Initiative presented the findings of those meetings,
highlighting the principal concerns, expectations, and viewpoints
expressed within their respective societies.
Taking into account the expectations expressed within their
societies, participants devoted the concluding session to an
exchange of views on future joint and individual activities during
the next stages of the peace process.
On 11 April, participants in the fourth bilateral roundtable
held within the framework of the “Peace Bridge” Initiative met with
Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan – Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of
the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The
discussion focused on regional security, the progress of the peace
process at the political level, and the contribution of civil
society to the normalization process.
The two-day dialogue concluded with a press conference at which
the outcomes of the fourth meeting were summarized.
The latest meeting of civil society representatives took place
in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, candid discussions, and
a reaffirmation that there is no alternative to the peace agenda.
Participants in the dialogue, organized within the framework of the
“Peace Bridge” Initiative with the support of the governments of
Azerbaijan and Armenia, expressed their intention to continue joint
efforts aimed at strengthening confidence during the next stages of
the peace process.
The discussions, held from April 10 through 12, focus on
promoting dialogue and direct engagement between civil society
actors from both countries. The meeting is set to continue through
April 12.
The “Peace Bridge” Initiative continues to foster dialogue and
direct engagement between civil society representatives from
Azerbaijan and Armenia. On this occasion, the Armenian delegation
arrived in Azerbaijan via the land border, crossing through a
formally delimited and demarcated section and undergoing all
relevant border and passport control procedures.
The dialogue between civil society representatives is taking
place within the framework of the agreed bilateral peace agenda
endorsed at the trilateral summit of the leaders of Azerbaijan,
Armenia, and the United States held in Washington, D.C. on 8 August
2025.
The meeting agenda includes discussions on the current state of
the peace process; the activities undertaken by participants in the
“Peace Bridge” Initiative in their respective countries and the
results of those efforts; as well as the situation in the
region.
Separate sessions will also be devoted to efforts to advance
peace at the societal level and to increase trust during the next
stages of the peace process.
The Azerbaijani delegation comprises Emin Aliyev, the
editor-in-chief of Trend News Agency.
Participants from Azerbaijan:
1. Farhad Mammadov – Director of the Center for Studies of the
South Caucasus; Coordinator
2. Rusif Huseynov – Director of the Topchubashov Center
3. Ramil Isgandarli – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum
4. Kamala Mammadova – Editor-in-Chief, First News Media
(1news.az)
5. Fuad Abdullayev – Leading Adviser at the Center of Analysis
of International Relations
6. Dilara Afandiyeva – Head of the Women’s Peace and Security
Center at the Azerbaijan Women’s Rights Protection Society
7. Konul Badalova – Research Fellow at the Center for Analysis
of Economic Reforms and Communication
8. Zaur Shiriyev – Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Russia
Eurasia Center
9. Rauf Aghamirzayev – Transport Expert and Member of the Public
Council under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport
10. Gulbaniz Ganbarova – Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Rural
Women’s Association Public Union
11. Nazrin Aliyeva – Chairperson of the “Human Rights Support
Center” Public Association
12. Sanan Rzayev – Presenter, CBC Television
13. Emin Aliyev – Editor-in-Chief, Trend News Agency
14. Murad Muradov – Deputy Director of the Topchubashov
Center
15. Aytan Gahraman – Adviser at the Baku International
Multiculturalism Center
16. Ilyas Huseynov – Political Analyst
17. Gulshan Akhundova – Chairperson of the “Women, Development,
Future” Public Union
18. Orkhan Babayev – Staff Member of the Center for Studies of
the South Caucasus
19. Orkhan Amashov – Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Presenter,
AnewZ
20. Yegana Hajiyeva – Member of the Board of the Press
Council
Participants from Armenia:
1. Areg Kochinyan – President of the Armenian Council;
Coordinator
2. Boris Navasardyan – Honorary President of the Yerevan Press
Club
3. Naira Sultanyan – Director of the Democracy Development
Foundation
4.Narek Minasyan – Associate Expert at the Armenian Council
5. Samvel Meliksetyan – Expert at the Armenian Council
6. Stepan Grigoryan – Chairman of the Board, Analytical Center
on Globalization and Regional Cooperation
7. Edgar Vardanyan – Associate Expert at the Armenian
Council
8. Robert Ghevondyan – Expert at the Armenian Council
9. Lusine Kharatyan – Writer and Cultural Anthropologist
10. Nelli Minasyan – PhD in History, Associate Professor, and
Turkologist
11. Davit Stepanyan – Political Commentator at 1in.am; Expert at
the Armenian Institute of International Security and Relations
12. Ruben Babayan – Artistic Director of the Yerevan Puppet
Theater
13. Eleonora Sargsyan – Peace and Gender Expert; Youth
Worker
14. Naira Martikyan – Editor and Country Director of JAMnews
(Armenia)
15. Vazgen Karapetyan – Associate Director, Eurasia Partnership
Foundation
16. Tatev Danielyan – Editor-in-Chief of Political Programs and
Host at Public Television of Armenia
17. Armen Petrosyan – Regional Policy Expert at the Orbeli
Center
18. Alen Amirkhanyan – Director of the AUA Acopian Center for
the Environment
19. Nelli Rafayelyan – Journalist at the Media Initiative
Center
20. Operator, Public Television of Armenia