The international community is hailing the announcement of peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Officials of both countries are expressing optimism that a treaty can be reached by the end of the year to end a decades-long conflict that’s flared up in recent years.
Armenia, a historically Christian nation, has faced elimination before from its Muslim neighbors.
In World War I, under the Ottoman Empire, as many as one million Armenians died when the country’s people and its ethnic identity were targeted for destruction.
“In 301 we accepted Christianity,” said Samvel, a resident of Armenia. “In 1915, after the genocide we lost much of our land to the Turks. I’d like to see that land returned to us someday. I just want Armenia to flourish. That’s my wish.”
Some are concerned that despite talks of peace history could repeat itself.
Over the summer, Azerbaijan’s military drove about 120,000 ethnic Armenians out of a disputed territory in their country. In recent weeks, Azerbaijan set its sights on a region within Armenia itself, causing fears of another genocide and calls for help from the global community.
Jacob Pursley, a businessman in Armenia, urged the church, “Please do not forget your true Christian brothers
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