YEREVAN. – The number of people who applied for issuance of new and replaced passports grew at an unprecedented rate in the first six months of 2012, Armenia’s Deputy Police Chief Arthur Osikyan stated during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, in response to PM Tigran Sargsyan’s query as to the measures taken to resolve the problem in issuing passports.  

Osikyan informed that 171,000 people had applied for passport issuance in the first six months of 2011, whereas this number was 30,000 more for the same time period this year. But he added that the new batch of passports is already received, and therefore this matter can be considered solved.   

To note, in recent periods Armenia’s citizens are raising numerous complaints with respect to delays in the issuance of passports. 

In addition, Arthur Osikyan said that, as of June 1, Armenia’s citizens can also apply for being issued biometric passports, but, contrary to expectations, solely 800 people so far have applied for such passports.