Russia Ready to Support Armenia in Establishing Separate Intelligence Service - Naryshkin

Russia is prepared to provide necessary support to Armenia in the event of the establishment of a separate external intelligence service. This was announced in Yerevan by Sergey Naryshkin, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, in response to a question from a Sputnik Armenia correspondent.

Naryshkin stated that the decision to create or not create a separate external intelligence service is, of course, within the purview of Armenia's political leadership. “Russia, in whatever format our foreign intelligence service works with our Armenian partners, will provide any methodological assistance and support. We will cooperate as reliably and consistently as we have until now,” noted Naryshkin.

He added that Armenia and Russia share common challenges that need to be addressed.

Earlier, Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan announced in parliament that consultations with partners have begun regarding the creation of an external intelligence service. Additionally, last August, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that the authorities aim to form an external intelligence service within five years as part of the government’s program for 2021-2026.