Russian border guards officially withdraw from Zvartnots Airport
On Wednesday, Russia officially completed the withdrawal of its border guards from Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport. This process began months ago at the request of the Armenian authorities. This marks a significant change in the long-standing cooperation between the two countries.
The Armenian government had approached the Russian side earlier this year, requesting the termination of service at the airport. Armenian officials noted that Armenia's border guard service now has sufficient experience and capabilities to carry out border control on its own.
An official ceremony took place at the airport, during which representatives of the two countries signed the corresponding protocol. Russian border guards had been serving at Zvartnots since 1992, in accordance with a treaty signed between the two countries. Thus, a 32-year presence at the air border has come to an end.
From now on, control at the airport checkpoints will be carried out exclusively by the border guard troops of Armenia's National Security Service. The authorities assure that Armenian specialists are ready to maintain all international security standards.
Despite leaving the airport, Russian border guards continue their service on Armenia's borders with Turkey and Iran. This change is taking place within the context of a review of relations between Armenia and Russia and new regional developments.