Foreign counterintelligence unit to be formed in Armenia 

ArmInfo.  A foreign counterintelligence unit will be established within the Main  Intelligence Directorate of the National Security Service (NSS) of  Armenia. This unit will also ensure the security of Armenian  diplomatic missions abroad. This was stated in a decision approved by  the RA government on November 6.

As stated in the explanatory note to the document, the establishment  of procedures for cooperation between intelligence and  counterintelligence agencies will be entrusted to the RA Prime  Minister.

The decision also proposes granting national security agencies access  (including electronically) to the information systems and databases  of state bodies, local governments, and organizations to carry out  their legally mandated functions.

Moreover, the projects are proposed to be considered urgent due to  the fact that the powers of the Service's intelligence unit to carry  out intelligence activities will cease on January 1, 2026. It is  necessary to promptly implement the legal and organizational  transformation of the functions necessitated by the formation of the  foreign counterintelligence unit to ensure the continuous and  effective implementation of foreign counterintelligence functions in  parallel with the termination of foreign intelligence functions.   Furthermore, it is noted that the full implementation of foreign  counterintelligence activities requires the simultaneous adaptation  and redistribution of functions and human resources, a delay in which  could lead to instability in the operational environment, a decrease  in the effectiveness of counterintelligence measures, and a  vulnerability of the state security system.

The decision to establish the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)  separated from the National Security Service in December 2022. The  Service is headed by Kristine Grigoryan, who previously served as  Deputy Minister of Justice and also as the Ombudsman of Armenia. The  government has allocated funds for the acquisition of a new building  for the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Republic of Armenia. On  September 11, at a regular meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers decided  to allocate approximately 2 billion 260 million drams for the  purchase of a new building for the SVR.