Armenia to re-establish interior ministry

| News, Armenia

Arpine Sargsyan, the Deputy Justice Minister, announced that the Armenian government intends to create an interior ministry as part of an ongoing restructuring exercise that calls for significant structural changes to the foreign intelligence and national security organizations.

At a parliamentary session, Sargsyan stated, "Under the aegis of the new Ministry of Internal Affairs, we will integrate three important services: the Police, the Rescue Service, and the Migration Service.” The National Assembly will likely be presented with a measure to resurrect the ministry in September, according to Justice Minister Karen Andreasyan.

Armenia had an interior ministry until 2003 when the then-President Robert Kocharyan abolished it and created a new organization that reported only to him. Two years ago, as part of a larger police reform strategy, the Justice Ministry's initial recommendation to the cabinet was that the ministry should be revived.

The government is now being reorganized, which includes plans to establish a separate foreign intelligence service and has already led to significant leadership changes at the Defence Ministry. Yerevan's initiative to resurrect the ministry is part of this process.

The National Assembly previously approved legislation that would make the chief of the general staff, who is in charge of the army, also serve as the first deputy defense minister.

See Also

"Caucasus Watch" seeks local specialists from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the North Caucasus region. We offer a flexible format of cooperation, competitive remuneration and access to a European readership. Send CV, cover letter and writing sample to redaktion@caucasuswatch.de. Questions: i.dostalik@caucasuswatch.de

Our website uses cookies. By clicking on "I accept cookies", you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of our Cookie Policy. If you want to disable cookies follow the instructions in our Cookie Policy so that cookies from this website cannot be placed on your device.