President Sargsyan tells government agencies to show support for Syrian Armenians

YEREVAN, September 18, /ARKA/. During a Saturday meeting with top government officials President Serzh Sargsyan spoke about developments in Syria and the plight of local Armenian community.

“These are really trying times for the Armenians of Syria. This situation is like an open wound for us and our every day number one priority. For us, Armenians, the people of Syria at the direst times gave a hearty welcome to those who managed to escape the Genocide and shared with us whatever they had. We live side by side and have walked down a long way together,’ he said, according to the presidential press office.

‘Syria’s pain is our pain. Situation in the Middle East and Arab states is directly interconnected with the security of our country. We desire for the existing situation to calm down so that people do not die in the neighboring and friendly Syria.

At this particular moment, Armenia’s state structures have a special role. It is very important that state bodies of Armenia, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Diaspora Issues, Ministry of Territorial Administration, Police, National Security Service and other state bodies, act efficiently and coordinated, responding properly and adopting decisions in this concrete situation.

Particularly, I demand that you display utmost attention towards our compatriots, who have immigrated from Syria and provide them all necessary assistance.

I attach special importance to the issuance of entry visas in the most accommodating way. We have undertaken urgent steps in the legal area and should follow up with the smooth processing of the visas. Security of the Armenians in Syria is in the center of our diplomatic efforts. Situations changes rapidly and we are following all development, evaluating new emerging risks and trying to respond as speedily as possible. In the context of future development, we should be ready within the scope of our capabilities to assist the Armenians from Syria in whatever decision they make. Those of our compatriots who will make a decision to come to Armenia, and those who will decide to stay in Syria must know that we are with them whatever choice they make. We must plan our future steps to be taken in every possible scenario. And on that direction, I anticipate concrete results.

Armenia shall stand by every Armenian in hardship, in every corner of the world. Even if our capabilities do not allow to lend a hand to every one, our warmth and compassion should reach and support them.” -0-