The "Orbel" information-analytical center talked with Mrs. Nora Arisyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Yerevan.

- Your Excellency, as we know, this year marks the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Syrian Arab Republic. For three decades, we have seen successful cooperation in various fields. Bilateral cooperation has entered a qualitatively new stage thanks to the opening and effective operation of diplomatic missions of both countries in Armenia and Syria. According to you, in which areas have the most noticeable progress been recorded?

- Thank you for the interview invitation. The diplomatic relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Armenia are a natural continuation of the friendly relations between the Syrian people and the Armenian people over the centuries, which were anchored on the foundations of civilization, history, culture, and friendship. The friendly relations between Syria and Armenia have been based on mutual respect and trust. The two countries are committed to expanding economic, political, cultural, and other economic relations.

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) were signed in educational, economic, cultural, health, agricultural and other fields. The spheres of cooperation are multi-layered over thirty years. However, I may single out the educational globe, which has made considerable progress.

And now, let me emphasize that Syria wants Armenia to take part in the reconstruction of Syria, which includes economic, construction, and investment sectors.

- Mrs. Ambassador, at the qualitative level of Yerevan-Damascus relations, it is possible to observe the moral position of RA during the Syrian conflict and the successful operation of the RA humanitarian mission in Aleppo for several years. How do you assess the current political relations between Armenia and Syria?

- Political relations between Syria and Armenia have always been high. Syria greatly appreciates Armenia's position during the Syrian war. At that time, political ties were manifested in several directions, as well as our high-level cooperation on international platforms. On the other hand, Armenia's decision to maintain the representative offices of the Republic of Armenia in Syria and send humanitarian aid to Syria - food, and clothing, which were distributed in several provinces of Syria.

The Syrian government dramatically appreciates the decision of the Armenian government in 2019 to send a humanitarian mission to Syria. The mission provided medical services and carried out humanitarian demining and anti-mine awareness activities in different regions of Syria.

This humanitarian mission is the best manifestation of the close friendly relations between Syria and Armenia. It should be remembered that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Syria, Faisal Al-Mikdad, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, exchanged messages, stressing that Armenian-Syrian friendly relations will further expand in the following years and will be strengthened. The Syrian side expresses its willingness to deepen Armenian-Syrian relations further and strengthen historical ties for the benefit of two friendly peoples and countries.

- Mrs. Ambassador, it is known that Armenia and Syria have a reasonably close position on several 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 practical cooperation and mutual support on international platforms. Those relative positions can be an opportunity for closer coordination and subject cooperation on the region's problems.

- What kind of obstacles do you see for the development of bilateral relations, the solution of which can be contributed by the RA authorities?

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

-Mrs. Ambassador, what problems does the Armenian community in Syria face today?

Eleven years after the terrorist war against Syria, the Syrian state supported reconstruction of damaged Armenian churches, schools, and workshops of Armenians in Syria. This circumstance proves the vision of Syrian President Bashar Assad's leadership to preserve Armenian historical and cultural values ​​in Syria. I should mention that Syrian Armenians benefit from the right to protect diversity specified by the constitution of Syria.

For the thinned-out colony today, the specialized teaching of the Armenian language occupies a prominent place among the various problems faced.