Change in atmosphere, fewer disagreements: Armenian representatives reflect on Armenian-Azerbaijani roundtable discussion

On October 21-22, 2025, a bilateral roundtable discussion was held in Yerevan at the initiative of representatives of the expert communities of Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the support of official structures of both countries. The initiative aimed to promote the peace agenda in line with the Joint Declaration adopted in Washington on August 8, 2025. It was the first meeting of representatives of civil society from Armenia and Azerbaijan held in this format.

Armenpress spoke with the Armenian participants of the Yerevan meeting.

According to Areg Kochinyan, President of the Research Center on Security Policy, the initiative to organize the event came from representatives of civil society and the expert communities of both countries and it was made possible with the support of state institutions in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“This is, in fact, the first event of its kind when experts and civil society representatives from the two countries meet in one of their capitals without intermediaries. That is what makes it significant. Until now, such meetings were held for years in third countries through mediators. This was the first of its kind,” he said.

Kochinyan noted that the meeting was productive, with a wide range of issues discussed.

“We can note a significant change in the atmosphere and a considerable reduction in disagreements on a number of key issues,'' he emphasized, adding that the initiative will be ongoing.

Boris Navasardyan, President of the Yerevan Press Club, also participated in the meeting. According to him, the initiative could help expand the settlement process so that it continues not only at the official and diplomatic levels but also at the public level.

"To achieve this, the non-governmental sector must present its ideas about the peace process to decision-makers in Yerevan and Baku. In my view, the October 21-22 meeting fulfilled this communication function,” Navasardyan said.

He added that the meeting's agenda covered the full spectrum of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, including the involvement of new experts and organizations working in various fields.

Political scientist Narek Minasyan described the discussions as effective.

“We touched upon numerous issues- the settlement process, unblocking of communications, establishing effective dialogue and building mutual trust. We particularly emphasized the issue of the return of our compatriots held in Baku, highlighting its sensitivity and importance in the context of the peace process and continued dialogue,” he said.

Minasyan noted that in recent months, especially after the Washington meeting, a change in the political atmosphere has been observed in Azerbaijan, which could enhance the effectiveness of dialogue with representatives of its civil sector.

Political scientist Samvel Meliksetyan emphasized both the symbolic importance of the meeting,  being the first of its kind, and its timing, coinciding with the announcement on opening railway transit through Azerbaijan to Armenia.

“The meeting can be described as a discussion on how civil society representatives from both countries can cooperate in the future, in what formats they can work and how such contacts can influence or contribute to resolving long-standing issues and adopting political decisions,” he said.

Meliksetyan also noted that one advantage of civil society is the opportunity for open discussions and addressing topics that, for various reasons, are not discussed in official settings. He added that both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides are ready to accelerate cooperation.

According to Naira Sultanyan, Director of the Democracy Development Foundation, the Yerevan meeting became possible after years of dialogue between the civil societies of the two countries.

"We are grateful to our partners whose support has made possible continuous mediated contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil societies. Without this support, direct dialogue would have been difficult to imagine," Sultanyan said.

She added that direct dialogue implies greater responsibility and accountability to both societies to address issues that truly matter to people and find viable, realistic solutions.