Today Armenian National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian received acting Syrian Charge d 'Affairs in Armenia Muhlis Pharaun, reported the RA NA press office. During the meeting Tigran Torosian remarked that the Armenian-Syrian relations should develop and strengthen. "Syria performs a special mission in the Near East. Many Armenians were hosted by this country after the Genocide in 1915," he said. When touching upon the issue of dual citizenship Tigran Torosian said, "Rights and obligations should be precisely determined. Armenians, who obtained citizenship after Armenia became independent, and who experienced the troubles of transition period, should not be offered the same conditions as the Diasporan Armenians. The political destiny of Armenia should be decided by the people who permanently live in this country and contribute to its progress."

Agreeing with the RA NA Chairman's opinion Mr Pharaum remarked that Armenia and Syria have much in common. "Some 4-5 million of Syrians live abroad, but neither they not their heirs can enjoy equal rights with the Syrians permanently residing in Syria," he said. The interlocutors also referred to some matters of mutual interest.