On August 8, 2025, in Washington, with the witnessing of US leader Donald Trump, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides initialed the text of the peace agreement. The initialed peace text also stipulated issues of mutual trust-building and advancing the peace agenda.
For this very reason, a number of steps have already been taken. Representatives of Azerbaijani civil society recently visited Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. They met with Armenian representatives, as well as officials. The event was aimed at advancing the peace agenda in line with the spirit of the Joint Statement adopted in Washington on August 8. As a result, the first meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society representatives in this format took place.
Following this, meetings of media and parliamentary representatives are also expected.
The issue of whether mutual visits of scientists and academics will take place has also come to the agenda.
Professor Misir Mərdanov, who heads the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the Ministry of Science and Education, told Modern.az that there is a need for trust-building between the two countries and peoples:
"For this very reason, a group of young people from Azerbaijan recently visited Armenia. According to information, the same number of people will also come from Armenia to Azerbaijan. I believe that such meetings can play a significant role in the direction of signing a peace agreement".
The former Minister of Education emphasized that mutual visits of scientists and academics from both countries could also take place:
"There were people who once wrote joint scientific works, conducted scientific research in related fields, and these individuals can combine their efforts. If there are such researchers, of course, these steps can be taken mutually. Doing it without rushing, with consultation, would benefit both sides".
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences Zaur Aliyev said that if a meeting of scientists and academics comes to the agenda, it would be possible to sit face-to-face and talk with Armenians:
"I had mentioned this once during a meeting with the US ambassador. However, the reality is that neither our scientists nor Armenian scientists will back down from their positions. Because we write true history, while they write fantastic, inaccurate history. We will not have a common opinion on any issue related to our history or the past. This is not possible for at least the next 20-30 years. Neither our people have forgotten the Khojaly genocide, nor have they abandoned their fabricated genocide claims. Personally, as someone who knows the past and history, I am against this back-and-forth. Because after 1905-1906, 1918, the back-and-forth was restored, and the Armenian side did not stop".
Z. Aliyev emphasized that there must be specific conditions for back-and-forth visits:
"Armenia must change its history textbooks, its constitution, and completely separate the church from the state. Because if an Armenian goes to church every week and a feeling of hatred towards Turks and Azerbaijanis is formed there, who can guarantee that there will not be another March massacre, another Khojaly genocide tomorrow? No one. If Armenians want peace, they must stop stealing Azerbaijani culture, cuisine, and music. They must give credit, saying this music, this food belongs to Azerbaijan. Armenians must allow the restoration of the original names of our historical monuments in Western Azerbaijan. For example, they should not call our Blue Mosque there "Persian mosque" and should remove Khamenei's picture from there. Names like Basarkechar, and as Mr. President said, Goycha, must be restored. That is, if these steps are taken, then one can talk about peace. If they come with their NGOs, their scientists, while harboring resentment, and we go there – there will be meetings, they will come and study at our universities, this is not peace, but temporary calm. For example, Mr. President's speech at ANAS is very important in this regard. The head of state emphasized that there is no Lake Sevan, and its real name is Goycha. Will Armenians accept this and change their maps accordingly? If they do, then yes, one can talk about peace".
