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Russia has negotiated an agreement between the two countries. The agreement will end hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, which have led to the death of many young people in particular in the last six weeks.
Ferdinand Aspaas goes to school about 40 km from the border with Azerbaijan and not far from Nagorno-Karabakh, where many have lost their lives.
– Was this something you had in mind when you went to school?
– Not at all. And now I have had to pack a bag that is always ready with the most essentials in case we have to evacuate, Ferdinand Aspaas tells NRK.
Isolated at school
He is a student at United World College in Dilijan, Armenia, and sees military personnel moving through the city daily. The 18-year-old speaks of actions far removed from everyday life.
– Right now we are isolated at school as a consequence of both the conflict and the crown. Although we cannot leave the area, we see the consequences of the conflict at the school gate. There are several hundred refugees who have come to our small town of Dilijan, and we help prepare meals and collect clothes for the winter, says Aspaas.
Turkey will also contribute to the peacekeeping operation, and Russia and Turkey will jointly monitor the implementation of the peace agreement.
The peace agreement means that Armenia must relinquish control of the areas that Armenian separatists have controlled for almost 30 years and that are populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.
AGREEMENT: A screenshot of the meeting where Turkey and Russia sign an agreement for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Photo: Thomson Reuters
– They are sad and desperate. Armenia has lost large territories that supposedly belong to Armenia historically. People also fear that a lot of culture will be lost and fear ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh who have now lost their homeland, says Aspaas.
Despite differing opinions on the conflict, many Armenians are happy that the military conflict is coming to an end, because Armenia has lost many and Azerbaijan is better equipped militarily.
Former students murdered
There have also been large demonstrations and arrests in the country following the ceasefire.
– We, who are not Armenians, have chosen to provide emotional support, rather than take a very political position. This is in the good spirit of United World College. Its purpose is to unite young people around the world for peace and understanding, says Aspaas.
He says that several of the fellow students have lost former schoolmates in the conflict.
– It is mainly young men who have lost their lives in the conflict so far. In addition, there is also compulsory military service for men when they turn 18 and have completed upper secondary school. Therefore, they are aware that they must be in the military when they graduate.
WALL: Women sit next to the police shield in front of the parliament building in Yerevan, during Wednesday’s protests.
Photo: NTB SCANPIX / AP
Following the violent demonstrations, the Armenian authorities arrested 10 opposition politicians on Thursday. They have supported protests against the agreement reached with Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh.
