EN
17 May 2011 - 13:17 AMT

Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia never politicized refugees’ problem

On May 17, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, who arrived in Armenia to participate in an international conference of donor organizations.

Mr. Sargsyan praised the role of the UN Refugee Agency and personally Guterres in resolution of refugees’ problems in Armenia, expressing gratitude for the programs implemented in the country. He noted that Armenia is ready to continue the efforts aimed at solving refugees’ problems and protecting their basic rights through active cooperation with UNHCR.

The Armenian leader stressed that Armenia has pursued the policy of refugees’ integration into society since the very first days of their acceptance and has never politicized the problem of refugees.

According to Sargsyan, Armenia will again voice its obligations aimed at solution of problems of the most vulnerable groups of refugees and improvement of the legislation in the field as part of a ministerial meeting in Geneva due December 2011.

Guterres praised the works carried out in Armenia, noting that refugees are provided with the opportunity to obtain Armenian citizenship. Besides, according to him, conditions are created for refugees’ integration into society, measures are taken to secure refugees’ rights, the RA presidential press service reported.