“Orbeli” information-analytical center talked with Mrs. Nora Arisyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Republic of Armenia. 

— Your Excellency, as we all know, this year marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Syrian Arab Republic. Over the three decades, we have seen various successful cooperations in various fields. The bilateral cooperation has  entered a qualitatively new stage due to the opening and efficient operation of diplomatic missions of both countries in Armenia and Syria. According to you in which areas has the most noticeable progress been recorded?

— Thank you for the invitation to interview. The diplomatic relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Armenia are a natural continuation of friendly relations between the Syrian people and the Armenian people over the centuries, based on civilizational, historical, cultural and friendly grounds. 

It should be noted that over three decades the diplomatic missions of the two countries have made great efforts, as a result of which more than five dozen documents (agreement, memorandum of understanding, protocol) have been signed in educational, economic, cultural, health, agricultural and other fields. The areas of cooperation are multi-layered over the course of thirty years, however, perhaps I would single out the educational field, which has made a considerable progress.  

And currently, let me emphasize that Syria wants Armenia to take part in the reconstruction of Syria, which covers economic, construction and investment fields.

— Madam Ambassador, at the qualitative level of Yerevan-Damascus relations, one can observe the principal position of the RA during the Syrian conflict, as well as the successful activity of the RA humanitarian mission in Aleppo for several years. How do you assess the current level of political relations between Armenia and Syria?

— Political relations between Syria and Armenia have always been at a high level. Syria highly appreciates Armenia’s position during the Syrian war. I would like to add, that at that time, political relations were manifested in several directions, as well as our high-level cooperation on international platforms. On the other hand, Armenia’s decision on maintaining the representations of the Republic of Armenia in Syria, as well as sending humanitarian aid (food and clothing) to Syria, which were distributed in several provinces of Syria. 

Syrian Government highly appreciates the decision of the Armenian Government made in 2019, on sending a humanitarian mission to Syria. The mission provided medical services, carried out humanitarian demining and mine awareness activities of the population in various regions of Syria.  

According to me, this humanitarian mission is the best manifestation of close friendly relations between Syria and Armenia. It should be noted, that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria Faisal al-Mekdad and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan exchanged messages, emphasizing that Armenian-Syrian friendly relations will further expand and strengthen in the coming years. The Syrian side expresses its willingness to further deepen Armenian-Syrian relations and strengthen historical ties for the benefit of two friendly peoples and countries. 

— Madam Ambassador, it is known that Armenia and Syria have a sufficiently similar positions on a number of regional issues. Do you consider bilateral subject cooperation in this direction possible?

— The positions of the two countries have always been close and as a result we have developed effective cooperation and mutual support on international platforms. Those close positions can be an opportunity for closer coordination and subject cooperation.

— What kind of obstacles do you see for the development of bilateral relations, to the solution of which the RA authorities can contribute? 

— Obstacles between centuries-old friends should be eliminated, and if there are some, we should work to eliminate them for the benefit of both countries and peoples. I think the facilitation of the visa process will contribute well to enter new stages of development of bilateral relations. 

— Madam Ambassador, what kind of problems does the Armenian community in Syria face today? 

— 11 years after the terrorist war against Syria, the Syrian State provided support for the reconstruction of damaged Armenian churches, schools and workshops in Syria. This proves the vision of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s leadership to preserve Armenian historical and cultural values in Syria. Let me note, that Syrian Armenians benefit from the rights to preserve diversity specified by the Syrian Constitution.

As to me, the specialized teaching of the Armenian language for a thinned-out colony takes a prominent place among the various problems faced today.