YEREVAN. – Many representatives of the Armenian community in Iraq left the state during the Iraqi war. They settled in the U.S., Europe and Armenia. As a result, currently there are only 10,000 Armenians in Iraq, half of them live in Bagdad city, administrator of the group of Iraqi Armenians in Facebook social network Ara Ashchian said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

“Developments in the Middle East may lead to the further emigration of the Armenians from the region to Armenia. However, it is a question, whether the state is able to accept the compatriots,” he said.

Referring the current condition of the Armenian community in Iraq, Ashchian said that it is more or less in favorable conditions. Teaching of the Armenian language is protected by the Constitution, but the level is getting lower among young Armenians. Armenian community has various cultural, philanthropic and educational organizations. There are four Armenian churches in the capital as well, Ashchian stated.

According to him, the so-called Arab spring cannot have a positive impact on the Armenians in the region. In particular it refers to Syria, where many Armenians live.