Sergey Kopyrkin: Russian border guards took up posts in the most  sensitive parts of the Armenian- Azerbaijani border

ArmInfo.The time is ripe for the trip to Syunik region, I planned it, since it is a very sensitive region both for Armenia and on a regional scale as a whole. Russian  Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said this in an interview with  ArmInfo correspondent, referring to his visit to Syunik. At the same  time, he noted that he visited the southern region of the Republic of  Armenia together with the Air Attache of the Embassy, as well as with  the Deputy Head of the Border Guard Department of the RF FSS in  Armenia.

"We understand very well how important and sensitive the situation in  this region is for Armenia and the Armenian population. And this  understanding is due to the fact that our border guards took up posts  in the most sensitive areas of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which  actually goes beyond the contractual terms (between Armenia and the  Russian Federation, Ed. note)," the ambassador said, recalling in  this context that Russian border guards are serving on the Turkish  and Iranian sections of the border.

At the same time, the Russian diplomat stated that very serious  material and organizational efforts were made , in order to increase  the Russian border presence, and in order to place them in the most  sensitive areas, and thereby ensure security and stability on the  border.  "And what is very important, thereby give some additional  element of calm and confidence to the local population, which found  itself in a completely unusual position for themselves after the end  of hostilities," Kopyrkin said.

The Ambassador informed that he visited the Russian posts, also  visited the posts where the Armenian border guards are serving and he  had positive impressions. "The situation is stable and controlled.  Very good, fraternal interaction has developed between the Russian  and Armenian border guards. It is felt that people are really doing  one thing, which is very important," the Ambassador added.

At the same time, he noted that he got acquainted with the activities  of the battalion group of the 102nd Russian military base, part of  which is located in Goris, and the aviation component in Sisian. "I  was impressed with how quickly this group was deployed, that is, the  troops are in very good conditions and ready to respond to any  changes in the situation. And this is very important and is an  element of additional stability, tranquility and peace in the region.  As far as I understand, our border guards and the military manage to  maintain normal constructive relations with the Azerbaijani side  through the appropriate contact persons, "Kopyrkin said, expressing  his conviction that all of the above serves to ensure that there is a  fairly stable and calm situation in the region.

The Russian diplomat expressed the hope that all these joint efforts  with the Armenian side, as well as interaction with the Azerbaijani  side, will help maintain peace and tranquility, despite the  complexity of the current situation.

To clarify whether Russia is considering the possibility of deploying  its military (border guards, peacekeepers) on the border in the  Geghargunik region, against the background of what is happening on  the borders of Armenia and taking into account the proposal of the  acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the ambassador  noted that at the moment he is not ready to talk about the details,  since he is not a part of this whole process. "But, as far as I  understand, various options are being considered, discussed. I think  that everything will be done to stabilize the situation and make the  country's population feel more calm and confident, despite the  emotions that the internal political situation and the upcoming  elections are provoking now," summed up the Ambassador, once again  pointing out the importance of the Armenian- Russian cooperation in  the field of security.