Damascus, SANA – The Armenian Embassy in Damascus on Sunday held a reception commemorating the 24th anniversary of independence at al-Sham Hotel.
The reception was attended by Speaker of the People’s Assembly (parliament) Mohammad Jihad al-Laham and a number of senior officials in addition to economic, religious, cultural and media figures.
Ambassador of Armenia in Syria Arshak Poladyan said in a speech that Armenia has undergone a number of changes in its foreign policy approach after it gained its independence in 1991, adding that the Armenian policies are based on mutual interests and understanding with other countries and peoples.
He added that the historical relations between Armenia and Syria have also promoted in a number of fields, stressing Armenia’s keenness on its relations with Syria.
He pointed out the centenary of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottomans, which claimed the lives of over 1, 5 million and forced others to flee to the Levant, hailing the efforts exerted by Syria to receive the Armenian refugees.
In statements to SANA, Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ayman Sousan stressed the solid and historical relations between Syria and Armenia, adding that the Syrians are nowadays facing the same criminals who had committed the massacre against the Armenians.
M. Nassr