The stages of public diplomacy, how ‘public’ are they really? – Ruben Megrabyan and Zardusht Alizade

Throughout the long history of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, there have been people in both societies who have tried to find opportunities for dialogue with representatives of the neighbouring country. Thereby often going against the dominant sentiments in their country of hostility, and at times even endangering their freedom and health. Both governments have mostly opposed such ‘bottom-up’ initiatives.

The Nagorny Karabakh conflict emerged when Armenia and Azerbaijan were part of the Soviet Union, where society had little leverage not only on external but also on internal processes. Following independence, these ‘traditions’ of the centralisation of power has continued.

Under such circumstances, what were the successes of ‘people’s diplomacy’ and what are its prospects? As part of Yerevan and Baku Press Clubs’  ‘Line of Contact’ project, where Armenian and Azerbaijani experts go into dialogue, political scientists Ruben Megrabyan and Zardusht Alizade discussed these and other topics.