YEREVAN. – Eurostat, the European statistical department, has issued the data, for the first quarter of 2013, on those that seek asylum in European Union countries, Zhoghovurd daily reports.    

“According to [Radio] Liberty, 5,300 people from Armenia, 11,035 people from Georgia, about 6,300 from Turkey, and around 14,000 people from Iran have sought asylum in Europe over the course of the past twelve months.

“In the first quarter of this year, the number of Armenia residents that seek asylum in Europe has reduced by 12 percent, [or] by about 200, as compared to the same period last year.  

“In the first three months of this year, 1,355 residents of Armenia have asked for asylum in Europe,” Zhoghovurd writes.