The Arab Spring escalated dramatically in Syria. Unfortunately, there is no lack of evidence to support this argument: thousands of victims, ruined towns and villages, the weakened central government, chaos, instability, international terrorism, drastic rise of the crime level, abductions and hostages, the rise of extremism, and unprecedented international pressure and sanctions imposed on Syria. External intervention transformed an internal conflict into an international one.

Armenian-Turkish relations have essential importance not only for Armenia, but also for the region of South Caucasus and beyond. The failure of the attempt to establish an Armenia-Turkey dialogue stagnated the process even further. The window of opportunity closed and the subsequent developments in the larger MENA region dramatically shifted the focus and priorities of the players.

In recent years the service sector of Armenian economy has recorded growth: the volume of services at current prices increased 1.5 times in 2011, in comparison with 2007. This growth refers to services provided in all areas, from education and health to tourism and recruitment. The average volume of services per resident increased for around 20% in 2011, compared with 2009.

Labour migrants from Armenia are mostly engaged in irregular migration. The vast majority either has low qualifications or lacks any at all. The cost of engagement in labour migration is comparatively high, and Armenians seem to prefer to “find Euro3000 from somewhere and leave”, rather than to sign an employment contract and secure safe warrants, such as insurance, a legal status in the destination country for the period of employment and so on. In the result, labour migrants face a number of financial challenges while working abroad. 

Since the very first days of the Syrian crisis the issue of emigration of Syrian Armenians to Armenia appeared on the political agenda of the Republic of Armenia. The first response of the government was the facilitation of the procedure to acquire an Armenian passport. Meanwhile, there is no immigration programme in the country, no relevant policy. There is no social accord regarding the issue and no response mechanisms.