On February 24, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received the delegation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia, including Representative for the South Caucasus Henrik Johannes Wilem Van Der Klaauw, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia Christoph Bierwirth and International Relations and Public Relations Representative Anahit Hayrapetyan.

Greeting the guests, Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the programs that the organization has carried out to solve the issues of Syrian-Armenians, as well as the organization’s active partnership and close cooperation with the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The Minister talked about the peculiarities of the activities being carried out with Syrian-Armenians, as well as the experience and the results. She particularly stated that there is a need to let the world know about the tremendous efforts that have been made and present Armenia’s experience as an exemplary model of a host country for refugees. “Armenia is in second place after Germany in terms of the number of refugees per capita, and the sums provided by international organizations are incomparably small.”

The Minister also touched upon the issues related to housing, employment and professional training.

Henrik Johannes Wilem Van Der Klaauw expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and stressed the fact that he was aware of the programs carried out by the Ministry of Diaspora to solve the Syrian-Armenians’ issues, as well as the active and coordinated efforts. “Armenia is a unique country with its history and culture. Armenia has unique experience in working with the Diaspora. The country has also done a tremendous amount of work to help Syrian-Armenians integrate in Armenia, coordinate their issues and solve them. The work is highly valuable and praiseworthy. Thank you. I would like to congratulate you for being able to create a unified and active system for working with the Syrian-Armenians. Thank you. Our cooperation will continue,” he particularly stated.