STRASBOURG. - Armenia has exerted significant efforts towards supporting and integrating refugees.

Deputy Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly (NA) Hermine Naghdalyan said the aforementioned at the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Thursday.

In the format of the debate on the topic ''Situation in Syria and its effects upon surrounding countries,'' Ms Naghdalyan submitted to the PACE Secretariat her speech, where she raised the issue of the destruction of Armenian settlements, churches and cultural monuments in Syria and that of the great number of Syrian Armenians.

The NA Deputy Speaker noted that Armenia is very concerned about the situation developed inside and outside Syria, since the former immediately neighbors with the Middle East. Armenia has on various occasions condemned the crimes committed by Daesh and other terrorist groups, which threaten people in the region and outside it, she added.   

Welcoming on behalf of Armenia the establishment of ceasefire in Syria in that harsh situation, Ms Naghdalyan expressed hope that it will result in long-term peace.  She stressed that the war in Syria had a destructive impact both on the civilian population and infrastructures, bypassing Armenians.

''Many of our compatriots lost their lives in terrorist attacks and military actions. The Armenian settlements, churches, schools and cultural institutions have been destructed,'' Ms Naghdalyan noted.

''Today thousands of Armenians along with other peoples of the Middle East are again forced to again leave their settlements. Over 20,000 Armenians from Syria alone have found refuge in Armenia, turning our country into the third largest state hosting Syrian refugees in Europe,'' the Deputy Speaker said.

She also noted that the state supports the refugees by providing them the opportunity to start business, get a long-term residence, free medial assistance and scholarship.

''We are confident that the international community should address Syrian refugees, as well as the general issue of the refugees and their protection more adequately,'' Ms Naghdalyan said.