The first exploratory meeting between civil society representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan took place in Venice from 16 to 18 May, an important step in restoring dialogue and discussing the role of civil society in a much-needed reconciliation process.

Discussions were facilitated by Mr Alvaro Gil Robles, former Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe; Ms Liliane Maury-Pasquier, former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; Mr Piero Fassino, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States and technical experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Spain.

Participants expressed a common aspiration to live in peace and to contribute to the reconciliation process. They underlined the need to move away from discourses based on intolerance or confrontation and agreed to continue their dialogue and work together on possible joint activities.