Syrian-Armenian Relations: Historical Background and Current State

Abstract

This article looks into some main aspects of Syrian-Armenian relations. The first section gives an overview of the history of the Syrian-Armenian relations focusing primarily on the period after 1991 when the independence of the Republic of Armenia was declared and official relations with the Syrian Arab Republic were established. In addition, the factors that have contributed to developing bilateral ties are studied. It is noted that the most important of those factors is the presence of Armenian community in Syria which has always served as a link helping maintain friendly relations between the two republics. The second part of the article deals with the Syrian-Armenian relations during the conflict in Syria as well as it studies the role of the Republic of Armenia in sending assistance to the people of the Syrian Arab Republic and in particular – to the Armenian community there. It is concluded that positive experience and background of bilateral ties between Armenia and Syria, absence of evident contradictions in their relations and high appreciation of Armenia’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian Arab Republic expressed by the Syrian government can serve as a basis for furthering and facilitating relations between the two states and peoples.