Fresno Armenian leader reacts to historic peace signing between Armenia and Azerbaijan

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Fresno is welcoming the news of Armenia and Azerbaijan signing a peace deal mediated by the Trump Administration. The historic signing took place at the White House on Friday.

President Donald Trump opened the door for the meeting, with both leaders crediting him for the breakthrough. The deal will reportedly reopen key transportation routes. This agreement also allows the US to expand its influence in the region as Russia’s influence wanes.

The Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Fresno weighed in on the historic day. He thanked the Trump Administration for bringing peace between the two countries.

“I think the greatest gratitude goes to President Donald Trump for leading the process and taking a leadership role. Peace doesn’t come on its own. It takes leaders to see the vision and moving that vision from conceptual level to reality,” Honorary Consul of Armenia in Fresno Berj K. Apkarian said. “We owe the leadership of the United States, including President Trump, Mr. Rubio himself, of the State Department staff, for believing in what Armenia stood for and what leadership of Armenia was committed to. And I think they made it happen.”

Apkarian says both Armenia and Azerbaijan have had their share of dark days over the past 35 years.

“Well, we’ve seen bloodshed. We’ve seen destruction. We’ve seen adversarial relationships. And we have seen animosity throughout history. Now, it’s a brand new chapter, a chapter of looking at each other as neighbors, as potential partners in building rather than destroying,” Apkarian said.

So now, Apkarian says he is hopeful for the future in the Caucasus.

“Hope for the new generation, not only for the Armenians, but also for the Azerbaijani young generation. They’re going to look to the future and see opportunities for them to see Armenia as non-adversarial, a non-animosity level, but also as a good neighbor that they could live in peace,” Apkarian added.

Apkarian admits that he wouldn’t have expected Friday’s peace deal to be reality just a few years ago.

“Prime Minister Pashinyan and his cabinet deserve tremendous credit for staying the course, for focusing on peace, unblocking communication and the project of peace and prosperity that was conveyed throughout the Western Hemisphere as the Prime Minister traveled to France and other countries,” Apkarian said.

And, Apkarian has a message to people on both sides of the aisle criticizing Friday’s deal, “I think we have to stay positive and I think we need to congratulate all parties involved in this. Yes, we could have hesitation or be concerned, but I want to put that aside. Today is not a day to criticize. Today’s not a day to cast a shadow of doubt. Today is a day to say it’s a new beginning.”