US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills and Diaspora Minister. Hranush Hakobyan at the opening ceremony of the “Arevik” Center for children and adults with disabilities. (Source: Armenpress)

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The United States welcomes Armenia’s commitment to adopting Syrian Armenians, according to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the US to Armenia, Richard Mills. Mills considers it important factor that Armenia is 3rd among European countries on adopting largest number of Syrian Armenian refugees.

During the opening ceremony of “Arevik” Center for children and adults with disabilities (mental and physical) on February 2^nd, the ambassador mentioned that it is remarkable that Armenia welcomed Syrian Armenians with open arms. “It is a big honor for me to be here. As the UN refugee commissioners show, the number of displaced people was doubled. The doubling is due to the tragic events taking place in Syria. There were also lighter moments, one of which is Armenia’s adoption of Syrian refugees with open arms,” Richard Mills mentioned.

According to US ambassador, the Syrian Armenians were warmly received in Armenia due to Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan and her leaded Ministry. Hakobyan also attended the opening ceremony of the “Arevik” Center for children and adults with disabilities. Last year, the US government allocated 6 billion worldwide in assistance to refugees.

Syrian Armenian Refugees from Syria’s civil war have flooded into Europe this year, moving mainly towards Germany, Sweden and Armenia. The top three European countries are followed by the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, Great Britain, Greece and France. The bulk of the refugees are in Turkey – 1 million 558 thousand, Lebanon – 1 million 147 thousand and Jordan – 623 thousand and Iraq – 234 thousand. These statistics were formed by The Economist.