YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Currently, nearly 1700 Syrian-Armenians are in Armenia, 12 thousand Syrian-Armenians got Armenian passports during the period of 2012-2015, 165 Syrian-Armenians received a residence permit. 2200 Syrian Armenians applied to the Ministry of Diaspora for finding a job. 85 Syrian-Armenians have been financed by Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia to launch economic activities. Over 500 Syrian-Armenians found jobs at small businesses belonging to Syrian-Armenian entrepreneurs. At this moment over 1000 Syrian-Armenian families receive house rental fees from different charitable organizations. Syrian-Armenians have also been provided with health and legal assistance. This data was introduced by Head of the staff of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry Firdus Zakaryan on December 10.

As "Armenpress" was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Diaspora, vigorous discussion over the problems of Syrian-Armenians started at the Ministry. Director of the Armenian Representation of the AGBU Hovik Yordekyan mentioned that in addition to educational scholarships provided by the Armenian Government to the Syrian-Armenians, financial assistance has been provided also by AGBU and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, funding another two dozens of students.

Summing up the session, Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan mentioned that those involved in the Inter-Agency Commission on the Coordination of Syrian-Armenians' Issues have been responsible in their activities. The Minister expressed deep gratitude to all the agencies, charity foundations, NGOs and religious establishments for diligent work. The Minister stated that the issue of housing and job remains the key problem which must be overcome by joint efforts.