Syrian developments cannot leave any Armenian unconcerned: Vigen Sargsyan

Armenia cannot remain indifferent to the developments in the Middle East, Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan told Russian RT TV channel.

“First, the Middle East has been home to a large part of Armenian Diaspora for a long period. Fleeing the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians they found new shelter in Syria, Lebanon and other Arab states. They were very well receives in these countries. Therefore, no Armenian can remain unconcerned over what is going on in Syria,” Vigen Sargsyan said.

He stated that one of the largest Armenian communities still operates in Aleppo. Armenia remains the only country that continues to preserve its consulate in Aleppo. “Despite all the hardships we, together with Russia, implement a humanitarian program by sending aid to Syria.

We consider it our obligation and think the Syrian people needs this help,” the Armenian Defense Minister said. The Minister reminded that in the recent years Armenia receives many refugees from Syria.

“We received nearly 20 thousand people from Syria. The majority of them are our compatriots but there are also representatives of other Christian minorities. We implemented a program for their fast intergration, granted them citizenship and all the necessary documents,” the Defense Minister said.

According to Vigen Sargsyan the Middle East is not so far from Armenia and the developments taking place there cannot leave no impact on the security system of our region.