We are ready to open the border with Turkey right now - Armen Grigoryan

We expect that the border with Turkey will be opened as soon as possible, said Armenia's Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan in an interview with Factor.am.

"We are fully prepared to open the border even at this moment within the framework of agreements reached, specifically for citizens of third countries, as well as for holders of diplomatic passports from Armenia and Turkey," Grigoryan said.

Regarding the decision to withdraw Russian border guards from the Iranian checkpoint, the Security Council Secretary stated, "The political agreements with Russia have been such that if Armenia acquires the capabilities to ensure the security of its borders, then Armenia will take full or partial control over border protection. The agreement with Russia should be viewed in this light. And since the NSS border troops have acquired sufficient capabilities, we have proposed to the Russian Federation that from January 1, the border troops of the Republic of Armenia fully serve at the checkpoint with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that we also carry out joint service at the border with Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have already started preparatory work. From January 1, we will proceed with the implementation of this agreement reached at the highest level."