The scenic town of Gabala in northwestern Azerbaijan recently served as the venue for the fourth round of civil society talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These discussions are part of the ongoing efforts by both nations to foster a peaceful future following decades of conflict.
Establishing the Peace Initiative Bridge
Shortly after signing a historic peace agreement in Washington D.C., Armenia and Azerbaijan launched the Peace Initiative Bridge format. This initiative encompasses a diverse group of civil society representatives from both nations, who engage in open dialogue to address shared concerns with a focus on building trust.
Areg Kochinyan, president of the Armenian Council and coordinator for Armenia in the Peace Initiative Bridge, emphasized the need for both countries to confront a “gigantic amount of trauma.” He noted the significant strides both nations are making to uphold their peace agreement, adding that “the normalization and the peace in South Caucasus is well-needed in the West, in Europe, in the United States, and that’s partially the reason why we have seen this level of interest of the United States in the region.”
The importance of dialogue
From Azerbaijan’s perspective, Farhad Mammadov, director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus and coordinator for Azerbaijan in the Peace Initiative Bridge, remarked that “the conflicts in the region did not have a negative effect on the peace-building process.” He further stated, “This is a two-way peace-building process and it is autonomous.” The recent meeting in Gabala aimed to generate momentum in the ongoing peace efforts between the two nations.
Lusine Kharatyan, a cultural anthropologist and member of the Peace Bridge Initiative from Armenia, highlighted the necessity of these discussions in light of increasing global violence. She asserted, “it is extremely important to continue these talks in this world where violence and conflict grow around us, so it’s very important to keep the track of peace.”
Another participant, Eleonora Sargsyan, a youth worker from Armenia, reflected on the impact of years of isolation due to closed borders, stating, “for 30 years, we’ve lived with closed borders and we haven’t had the chance of structured dialogue, which created a framework of mutual dehumanization.” She expressed hope that initiatives like these will aid in the process of rehumanization between the two societies.
Azerbaijan’s representatives echoed the importance of deepening civil dialogue. Orkhan Amashov, who participated in the Peace Bridge Initiative, described the discussions as “incredibly comprehensive and wide-ranging.” He noted that the goal is to prepare their respective societies for the eventual peace agreement and its implications.
Ramil Iskandarli, chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan’s National NGO Forum and another member of the Peace Bridge Initiative, highlighted the symbolism of crossing each other’s borders for peace talks. He remarked, “Both I and (the) other group members crossed the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia twice and our Armenian colleagues did the same to come to Gabala.”
The ongoing energy disruption caused by global instability, particularly influenced by the crisis surrounding Iran’s Strait of Hormuz blockade, has redirected attention towards the South Caucasus as a vital alternative route. Azerbaijan and Armenia are now collaborating to develop this opportunity, which could bolster their economic ties.
Hikmet Hajiyev, the foreign policy advisor to the president of Azerbaijan, spearheaded the peace talks and welcomed each participant. After the discussions, he took to X to reaffirm Azerbaijan’s commitment to the Washington agenda of the peace process. He stated that this commitment comprises “concrete and pragmatic steps being taken to strengthen the peace agenda.” This is particularly relevant in the context of their collaborative work on the TRIPP corridor, a 42-kilometer US-backed transit route that links Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik region.
Hajiyev underscored the growing economic cooperation between the two nations, highlighting bilateral trade, transit shipments to Armenia via Azerbaijan, and increased people-to-people contacts as essential components reflecting the economic benefits of peace. The participants concluded the Gabala talks with a commitment to maintaining dialogue as a crucial step towards fostering communication and understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan.