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A group of repatriates held a protest action in front of the government building on Tuesday morning

to protest against the Armenian government’s plan to merge the ministry of diaspora with another institution. As Panorama.am reported from the scene, the protesters handed over a letter to the government representative, asking to reconsider the decision of dissolving the ministry.

“We have around 15-20 thousand Syrian Armenians residing in the country. Whom should them apply with their issues and problems?” one of the protesters told reporters.

To remind, the new draft proposes structural and procedural changes in the government. As a result of reorganization of the government structure, the number of ministries is expected to be reduced from 17 to 12. Some of the current government bodies, the ministries of culture and diaspora among them, will be incorporated into other ministries.

The protesters raised questions about possible waves of repatriation in the future and the government ability to face it. 

“In case of emergency situations in other countries, for example Lebanon, thousands of Armenians may return to homeland. Who should deal with their matter. Is a department of five people able to address their matter?” one of the protesters asked.