The Armenian government has decided to give passports to Armenians living in Syria, News Armenia reports.
Armenian Minister for Diasporas Granush Akopyan said that only police structures issue passports. Diplomatic missions may issue passports as well. Armenians living in Syria and Lebanon will be able to get passports at consulates and embassies. Thousands have requested Armenian citizenship, Akopyan says.
Armenia has about 60,000 compatriots in Syria. About 8,000 Syrian citizens requested Armenian citizenship in 2011-2012. About 3,000 were granted citizenship.
On Thursday, the government decided for form an inter-department group to find employment for migrants from Syria.
