THE SYRIA SITUATION: NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY THAT WOULD INCREASE FLIGHTS FROM ALEPPO
http://armenianow.com/news/39645/syria_war_armenian_governenment_visa_procedure_arm avia
News | 27.07.12 | 15:36
The Government of Armenia has once again addressed the issue of
Syrian-Armenians who have suffered because of the civil war in Syria.
Under a new decree issued on Thursday, the Government gives an
opportunity to all Armenians who are citizens of a number of countries
(including Syria) to get an entrance visa at border checkpoints of
Armenia. Previously citizens of other countries with Armenian origin
could get an entrance visa only in diplomatic representations and
consulates of Armenia in foreign countries and only based on an
invitation from Armenia.
The Government has also referred to the concerns voiced by
Syrian-Armenians, saying that in order to get an Armenian passport
they have to come and back and forth to Armenia several times. The
Government has approved the list of those countries the citizens
of which in some cases (in this case during wartime) can get an
Armenian passport for the first time in diplomatic representations
and consulates of Armenia in foreign countries; Lebanon and Syria
are on the list of those countries.
At the same time, the negotiations are underway between the Government
and Armavia Airlines to increase flights between Aleppo-Yerevan to
twice a week. A weekly flight also is carried out by Syrian Airlines.
Both have sold out all tickets up until September. Armavia has been
repeatedly criticized for having limited number of flights and raising
the ticket prices. The aviation company stated that the criticism is
baseless, because unlike many European countries Armavia continues
carrying out flights in the war zone, and it is connected with high
insurance risks and substantial expenses.
Armavia has officially stated that it will be able to add one more
flight a week if the Government supports them, providing the company
with subsidies (the Government did it in 2006 during the Lebanon-Israel
conflict).
"According to the international aviation legislation, the frequency
of flights is increased only in case governments agree; that is to
say, Armavia cannot increase the flights independently," an Armavia
representative told ArmeniaNow.
http://armenianow.com/news/39645/syria_war_armenian_governenment_visa_procedure_arm avia
News | 27.07.12 | 15:36
The Government of Armenia has once again addressed the issue of
Syrian-Armenians who have suffered because of the civil war in Syria.
Under a new decree issued on Thursday, the Government gives an
opportunity to all Armenians who are citizens of a number of countries
(including Syria) to get an entrance visa at border checkpoints of
Armenia. Previously citizens of other countries with Armenian origin
could get an entrance visa only in diplomatic representations and
consulates of Armenia in foreign countries and only based on an
invitation from Armenia.
The Government has also referred to the concerns voiced by
Syrian-Armenians, saying that in order to get an Armenian passport
they have to come and back and forth to Armenia several times. The
Government has approved the list of those countries the citizens
of which in some cases (in this case during wartime) can get an
Armenian passport for the first time in diplomatic representations
and consulates of Armenia in foreign countries; Lebanon and Syria
are on the list of those countries.
At the same time, the negotiations are underway between the Government
and Armavia Airlines to increase flights between Aleppo-Yerevan to
twice a week. A weekly flight also is carried out by Syrian Airlines.
Both have sold out all tickets up until September. Armavia has been
repeatedly criticized for having limited number of flights and raising
the ticket prices. The aviation company stated that the criticism is
baseless, because unlike many European countries Armavia continues
carrying out flights in the war zone, and it is connected with high
insurance risks and substantial expenses.
Armavia has officially stated that it will be able to add one more
flight a week if the Government supports them, providing the company
with subsidies (the Government did it in 2006 during the Lebanon-Israel
conflict).
"According to the international aviation legislation, the frequency
of flights is increased only in case governments agree; that is to
say, Armavia cannot increase the flights independently," an Armavia
representative told ArmeniaNow.