BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:45 P.M.) – The Chairman of the Syrian-Armenian Community in Armenia, George Barseghyan, was interviewed by ArmenPress this week after he and a group of Armenian businessmen met with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus.

“There was a 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 approved very soon. A meeting was scheduled not only with the Syrian President, but also other high-ranking officials of Syria. The Board has formed a delegation consisting of Syrian-Armenians, Armenian businessmen”, Barseghyan said.

Barseghyan told the online publication that Assad vowed to rebuild the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir Ezzor that was destroyed by Jabhat Al-Nusra terrorists.

“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 the state ties and sent an aid to Syria. And during the upcoming progress, business programs and restoration works the priority will be given to Armenians”, George Barseghyan said, adding that the Syrian government highly values 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 ez-Zor with his own resources.

Syria’s historical relationship with Armenia has paved the way for strong political ties between Damascus and Yerevan.

“Our visit pursued several goals. Firstly to strengthen and intensify the Armenia-Syria ties. In addition, we also wanted to express our support to the Syrian President and government. Armenia is one of those unique countries most of the population of which supports the current Syrian government, because we have managed to reach significant success during that leadership’s government. It was a proper occasion to show our support. Eventually, we have an Armenian community in Syria, in Aleppo, Damascus and etc. The local Armenians have very good relations with the authorities, and we also must think about this”, he added.