The number of Syrian Armenians willing to return to Armenia has increased, as stated by Armen Akopyan, Deputy Chief of the Department for Passports and Visas of Armenian police. 422 Armenians in Syria requested citizenship in 2010, over 3000 in 2011, Armenia Today reports.
1554 Armenians requested citizenship in Q1 2012. Artur Saakyan, head of the section for foreigners of the department, said that 300 Syrian Armenians received residential permission in the last 2 years.
Father Andranik, head of the Armenian Catholic Community of Syria, noted that more Armenians are returning. But the situation in the northern part of Syria has improved. Most Armenians living near the border of Turkey and Lebanon have left.
