YEREVAN. – The civil war in Syria is compelling numerous Syrian Armenians to find safety in other countries, including Armenia, Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes. 

“[And] It would have seemed that Syrian Armenians’ large-scale relocation to Armenia should be organized on state level, but obstacles were placed before Syrian Armenians when coming to Armenia.  

Specifically, the [prices of] tickets for planes flying from Syria to Armenia sharply increased. It has become clear that creating hurdles before those [Syrian Armenians] who wish to come to Armenia is the Armenian authorities’ unofficial policy.   

In an interview with the newspaper’s reporter, Diaspora Ministry Spokesperson Tevos Nersisyan said verbatim: ‘We are not interested in the disintegration of our community in Syria.’ Officials from other departments likewise said the same unofficially.  

That is to say, Armenia’s authorities are not too enthusiastic over the prospect of receiving Syrian Armenians to Armenia. And this, in the case when emigration from Armenia has reached alarming dimensions. 

In fact, we need the Diaspora Armenians solely for sending remittances, coming to Armenia for a few days to see [Mount] Ararat, renting astronomically-priced rooms in hotels belonging to officials, and justifying the existence of the Diaspora Ministry,” Haykakan Zhamanak writes.