In Armenia, between hope and distrust of the agreement signed under the aegis of Donald Trump

In Yerevan, the summer heat has left the streets almost deserted but, in the parks, under the shadow of the trees or near the fountains in which the children play, Armenians try to understand what was signed on Friday in Washington and what they have to expect.

It was in the American capital. Moreover, under the aegis of Donald Trump, that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, countries of the Caucasus Happés by a territorial conflict since the fall of the USSR The two neighboring states have signed a draft agreement in which they undertake to “cease definitively any conflict”, in the words of the American president.

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“We don’t have a powerful army …” – Armenia, between hope distrust agreement

In erevan, however, there are few people interviewed on Saturday, to be enthusiastic. Consequently, “This is a good thing that armenia, between hope distrust agreement this document was signed yesterday because Armenia has no other choice. Therefore, ” said Assatour Srapian, an 81 -year -old retiree. In addition, For him. For example, Armenia did not get much with this project of agreement but this is a step in the right direction.

“There are very few of us. In addition, we do not have a powerful army, we have no powerful ally behind us, unlike Azerbaijan. Moreover, This signature is a good luck for peace, ”he says.

Maro Houneian. a future 31 -year -old diplomat, also judges this “acceptable” document, provided that he does not contradict the constitution of his country. “If Azerbaijan respects all agreements, it is very important to us. But I am not sure that he will hold his promises and [respectera] The points of the agreement, ”she slips.

“Endless concessions”

Anahit Eylassian. 69, is “against” this agreement and more precisely against the project to armenia, between hope distrust agreement create a transit zone crossing Armenia to link the Nakhitchevan region to the rest of Azerbaijan. “We are in fact losing control of our territory. It is as if. in my own apartment, I had to ask a foreigner if I can go from one room to another, ”she explains.

She also hopes not to see Russia from our region “from our region”. an alleged country of Armenia despite recent tensions in their bilateral relations.

Anahit Eylassian criticizes Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian for “deciding alone for everyone” and his “endless concessions to Azerbaijan”. “In exchange, we have not obtained anything, neither our prisoners, nor our occupied lands, nothing. It’s just a piece of paper for us, ”she gets carried away.

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“It’s no longer a capitulation document”

Chavarch Hovhannissian, a 68 -year -old building engineer, is of the same opinion. For him, the agreement “is only armenia, between hope distrust agreement an administrative formality which brings nothing to Armenia”. “We cannot trust Azerbaijan,” he asserts, while accusing Nikol Pachinian of having “turned his back” to Russia and Iran.

“It is more a capitulation document than a peace treaty. ” he regrets, while “Trump only thinks of his image, at the Nobel Prize”.

An expert: more “stability” … Additionally, “in the very short term”

After the signature of the text. the Armenian Prime Minister nevertheless praised a historical “peace” with Azerbaijan.

According to the American president. Armenia and Azerbaijan have committed “to definitively cease any conflict, to open trade and diplomatic relations and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of each.

For Oake Vartanian. an independent researcher specializing in the Caucasus, the Washington agreement “certainly provides more stability, more guarantees for the months, or even the coming years”. But given the regular escalation of tensions between Armenia. Azerbaijan, “I fear that one should only armenia, between hope distrust agreement plan very short term,” she estimates.