Russian Border Guards Officially Leave Zvartnots Airport
On Wednesday, Russia completed the withdrawal of its border guard troops from Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport. This process began after Armenian authorities submitted an official request to the Russian side earlier this year.
For decades, Russian border guards, together with their Armenian counterparts, carried out passport control at the airport. This cooperation was based on a treaty signed in 1992. However, the Armenian government decided that the country's border guard service now has sufficient experience and technical capabilities to perform the work entirely independently.
An official ceremony took place at the airport, during which both sides signed the protocol for the handover and acceptance of services. Armenian officials thanked the Russian side for many years of joint work and exchange of experience.
This change is considered an important step for Armenia's security system. Although Russian border guards continue to monitor Armenia's borders with Turkey and Iran, their presence at the capital's airport is no longer deemed necessary.
From now on, border control at Zvartnots Airport will be fully carried out by the border guard troops of Armenia's National Security Service. This marks a significant change at one of the country's strategically important locations and reflects Armenia's current policy.