Armenia is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in its immediate neighborhood, in particular in Iraq and Syria, where the Armenian nation has historically had a significant presence.
Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian stated the aforesaid on Wednesday, during his lecture on Armenia’s foreign policy, and which he delivered before diplomats, analysts, and journalists in Rome.
“The recent deadly tragic attacks in London, in other European cities and elsewhere vividly demonstrate that these phenomena are not just limited to the Middle East. However, it is our conviction that eliminating this scourge first and foremost requires eradication of its breeding ground and the root causes.
Armenia is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in our immediate neighborhood in Iraq and Syria, in particular in Iraq and Syria, where the Armenian nation has historically had a significant presence. On numerous occasions Armenia has condemned the crimes committed by Daesh and other terrorist groups,” the FM said, adding that the war in Syria has a devastating impact on its civilian population, as well as national and religious, including Christian minorities.
“The violence has not bypassed Syrian Armenians. Many of them were obliged to abandon their places of residence. From Syria alone more than 22 thousand refugees found shelter in Armenia, making our country the third largest recipient of Syrian refugees in Europe on per capita basis,” he noted, stressing that Armenia also tries to reach out to the people who need assistance in Syria, continuously dispatching humanitarian relief that were not limited to Syrian Armenians.
“In terms of international efforts, we believe that it is not possible to reach an agreement on Syria without all-inclusive political process that will take into account the interests of all Syrian fractions, with the exception of terrorist groups. Conditions should be secured to allow the people of Syria to express their position on the future of the country in a safer environment. The settlement should take into account the particular needs of most vulnerable groups, like ethnic and religious minorities. Efforts to protect and rehabilitate victimized communities should be supported irrespective of political and religious differences,” the FM concluded
