Armenia has expressed its ‘deep concern’ about the situation in the Syrian city of Kessab near the border with Turkey that the majority Armenian inhabitants were evacuated after an attack of jihadist militants from Turkey.
In a statement to The Hague, the Netherlands, alongside the two-day summit on nuclear generating security which he participated, President Serzh Sargsyan designated events in Kessab and its region as a “serious challenge” mechanisms current protection of ethnic minorities.
Previously, the international section of the Armenian National Committee had also strongly condemned the attacks, accusing Turkey to play an active role in “helping and endorsing extremist groups in their targeted against Christians and other minority populations Syria attacks.” “We remember everything perfectly Kessab history which, unfortunately, was marked by the tragic events of the deportation of Armenians in the last century,” President Sargsyan said in an allusion to the invasion of the region by armed Turks in 1909 and the second wave of deportations and massacres of the population Kessab during the 1915 Armenian genocide groups.
“The third movement of Armenians Kessab, as is happening today, is a serious challenge to the mechanisms in the 21st century to defend ethnic minorities. I think everyone should realize that these parallels should encourage all parties to exercise caution, “continued the Armenian President.
At the same time, Sarkisian thanked the Syrian authorities “to the measures taken in these difficult times to help Armenians Kesab”. “I’ve already ordered the Armenian diplomatic missions to the UN in New York and Geneva to rely concerned bodies on human rights and protection of minorities they defend rights of Armenians Kessab and can return to their ancestral homes “a & M.Sarkisian added.
Armenian President also reported on the discussion of the situation with the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, headquartered in Antelias, Lebanon.
According M.Sarkissian, the Armenian Embassy in Syria working on a progranme to help Armenians Kesab. At the same time, hundreds of Armenians who had been evacuated from Kesab and found refuge with relatives, friends or at the Armenian church in the nearby village of Latakia hope to return soon to their homes. They received aid from local as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross Armenian organizations.
“Currently, no regrets casualties among Armenians. They were able to Latakia with the help of government troops, “said a Armenian Kesab, Shoghik. “The Armenian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and looking for ways to help the Armenians,” said for his part, spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan, speaking to the local press.
President of the Armenian Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan has also expressed its concern about the situation in Kessab. In response to a question from the MP of the opposition Heritage party, Tevan Poghosian concerning possible measures envisaged by Armenia to face this situation, Mr. Abrahamian said: “We are not entitled to interfere in internal affairs of a State [Syria]. I think this is a deeper problem. I think that members are well informed of the situation, we should organize meetings with the department. ”
Gari © armenews.com