The Armenian Diaspora Ministry has undertaken all the possible steps to help the Armenian community in Syria, Minister Hranush Hakobyan said speaking to Tert.am and Yerkir.am.

“The Diaspora Ministry has worked out a special program from January and has developed a special concept. Each month I invite foreign affairs, emergency situations, territorial administration, and other deputy ministers to discuss our actions connected with the Syrian-Armenian community,” the minister said.

She said she personally talks everyday with the heads of Armenian organizations in Syria, religious leaders to understand the situation.

“They do not consider it expedient for Armenian state officials to visit Syria. The Armenian president always sends his envoy to Syria who gives us clear information of what is going on there,” she said, adding that while working with international organizations they always raise the issues of Syrian Armenians. At the same time Hranush Hakobyan said she would like the Armenian community stay there and live safely in the country where it has lived for so long.

“Each person living in Armenia is concerned and excited with the issues of the Syrian-Armenians but we cannot be guided with the wishes of our compatriots. They wanted us to give passports on place, we did it, organizing the oath ceremony on place. We are trying to cooperate with lawyers to solve the legal issues of Syrian Armenians,” Hranush Hakobyan said.

“Every week we meet Syrian-Armenians and learn their issues. Our ministry cannot solve the issues of passports, education, shelter. There are other establishments dealing with them,” she said.

The Diaspora minister called for restraint and asked to be careful in the issue.

Asked whether in case of necessity Armenia is ready to accept a big number of Syrian-Armenians, the minister said if it is spoken about 100 thousand people Armenia should do it in cooperation with international organizations.

“I was in Geneva and met with the leadership of Migration and Refugee agency in March. In Armenia I have met with the UNHCR Armenia office representatives,” the minister said.

Concluding the conversation, the minister again stressed that each inattentive word may harm the Syrian-Armenian community.