Russia, Armenia need special form of border control – Pronichev
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
April 18, 2005 Monday 10:11 AM Eastern Time

YEREVAN, April 18 — Russia and Armenia need “special forms of border
control” alongside traditional military methods, Deputy Director of
the FSB Border Service of the Russian Federation, Colonel General
Vladimir Pronichev said on Monday.

“The nature of threats has changed, and it is difficult to effectively
resist border crime by military methods alone. Special forms of
surveillance and reconnaissance should be used,” he said upon arrival
in Yerevan on a two-day visit.

According to Pronichev, during his visit he plans to “address matters
of joint borderline protection and discuss professional issues with
counterparts at the Armenian Service of National Security.” He said
they would consider the organization of border control in keeping
with the current concept of the Russian Border Service.

A combination of military and special methods of border protection is
the basis border service reorganization must rely on, Pronichev said.

Border control in Armenia is carried out jointly to counter the threats
existing in the region, the general said. There are no problems with
the financing the Armenian Department of the Russian Border Service.

The Armenian authorities regard the presence of Russian border guards
and the Russian military base as an important factor for national
security.

The system of border control between Armenia and Turkey (345
kilometers) and Armenia and Iran (45 kilometers) has been preserved
since the Soviet era. The Russian border guards’ presence in Armenia
relies on the interstate treaty on the status of Russian border guard
troops in Armenian territory concluded in Yerevan on September 1992.

The Russian Border Guards Department in Armenia comprises four border
detachments located in the cities of Gyumri, Armavir, Artashat and
Mefri, as well as a separate checkpoint at the international airport
Zvarnots.

The Russian border guards in Armenia are financed by the Russian and
Armenian governments on the parity basis.

Armenian citizens along with citizens of Russia have the right to serve
in the troops of the Russian Border Guards Department in Armenia and
this service is very prestigious.