By Anna Gziryan
YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A meeting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian-Armenians as well as businessmen from Armenia was held in December in a positive and warm atmosphere. The group from Armenia was led by George Barseghyan, chairman of the Syrian-Armenian community in Armenia. He presented details from the aforementioned meeting during a recent interview.
Barseghyan said the activities began after the appointment of the new Syrian ambassador in Armenia. The new staff of the embassy started actively working with the Syrian-Armenian community in Armenia. That time a board of the Syrian-Armenian community in Armenia was elected led by George Barseghyan.
“There was the task, that this board must boost Syria-Armenia ties. The first step was asking for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. And this request was granted very quickly. A meeting was scheduled not only with the Syrian president, but also other high-ranking officials of Syria,” he said.
He noted that Assad’s government has managed to overcome the current situation. The US thinks of withdrawing its troops from Syria and is already taking practical steps. A number of Arab countries are thinking of opening their embassies in Syria. All these actions suppose the restoration of Syria, and for this purpose quite major economic programs are expected to be implemented.
“The Syrian government plans to give priority in these programs to those countries which stood together with it during those years. Armenia is among those countries which didn’t close its embassy during the war, always kept state ties and sent aid to Syria. And during the upcoming progress, business programs and restoration works the priority will be given to Armenians,” Barseghyan said, adding that the Syrian government appreciates the role of the Armenian community. He said it’s not a coincidence that the Syrian President promised to restore the Armenian Church in Deir Zor.
