The theme of Good Governance was always going to be one of the most challenging for the thematic groups for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani dialogue that finished their work in early November. The four reports, including the one on Good Governance, have now been presented to the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and other stakeholders. The ability of the Group on Good Governance to reach a consensus, and finalise their report, was in no small part due to the maturity and good sense of the leadership of this group, namely Sargis Harutyunyan , the Group chair, from Armenia, and Ramazan Samadov, the Group Deputy Chair, from Azerbaijan
The Group members were, from Armenia, Sargis Harutyunyan (Chair), Nare Aramyan, Eleonora Sargsyan, Hakob Karapetyan, and Robert Ghevondyan; M embers from Azerbaijan: Ramazan Samadov (Deputy Chair), Laman Nasirli, Yalchin Mammadov, Sabina Huseinova, Beyrek Hajiyev and Anar Eyubov.
They said in their report that, “for many decades, war and conflict dominated Armenian and Azerbaijani society, and all else was secondary to it. In 2025, with the dawn of peace, good governance is increasingly a priority for the citizens of the two countries”. In outlining their vision until 2040, the Group envisioned a South Caucasus where transparency, proactive disclosures, openness, accountability, equal access to services, data protection and a governance system that responds to the needs of citizens and empowers them is the norm.
The group said: “Good governance remains an aspiration of citizens across the South Caucasus. In Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is important to build on positive achievements in recent years, including in transparency, the fight against corruption, and the delivery of equitable services to citizens. Where good practice exists, the sides should not be shy of learning from each other This report aims to stimulate the debate, frame it for the first time in an Armenian Azerbaijani context, and contribute towards building a better society for Armenians and Azerbaijanis, and all citizens across the South Caucasus.”
In their report the Group said that a system developed in parallel in the two countries, will be mutually re-enforcing, and will contribute towards building trust between the two sides, and to make peace irreversible.
While the political situation remains complex, cooperation on technical issues is possible and can be done immediately. Environmental monitoring, disaster create an institutional bridge for sustained management, and digital governance were identified as entry points. Establishing a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) in each country to coordinate such initiatives would dialogue and trust building in governance.
We recognize the need for a long and deep discussion on this topic – in Armenia, in Azerbaijan, and between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. This report is not meant as the last word on the subject.
As one member of the group remarked, “the conversation is just starting”.
Read the full report of the thematic group on Good Governance here
You can read more on the initiative "New Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue" and access the reports of the four thematic groups, here
source: commonspace.eu with LINKS Europe (The Hague)
