Head of Russian FSB border department in Armenia pleased with borderguards financing

YEREVAN, December 25. /ARKA/. Viktor Vlasov, the  chief of the border department of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Armenia expressed his contentment on Tuesday with borderguards financing level coming from Russia and Armenia. 

He said 80.1% of funds were provided by Russia and 19.9%-- by Armenia in 2010, 81.2% and 18.8% respectively in 2011, and 82.7% and  17.3% in 2012. 

“As of now Armenian and Russian governments are emphasizing financial maintenance of the Russian borderguards in Armenia. The Russian side is fully fulfilling all its commitment,” Vlasov said. 

Armenia’s financing is growing year over year based on the inflation rate, according to him.

“ I can’t speak about the lack of funds, as the money we get is enough for dealing with our issues. The only thing that would be great is to get more funds for technical re-equipment,” he added. 

Armenia-Turkey ( 330 km) and Armenia-Iran (45 km)  border guard system has been maintained since the USSR times. The Armenian authorities consider the presence of the Russian borderguards and the Russian military base as an important component for the national security. 

The border department of the Russian Federal Security Service in Armenia  consists of four border divisions: in Gyumri, Armavir, Artashat and Meghri, and a separate check point in Yerevan Zvartnots  International Airport. There are nearly 4,500 Russian borderguards in Armenia. Their maintenance is coordinated by the governments of the both states almost equally. —0-