The creation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Foreign Intelligence Service will be the most important structural changes in Armenia in 2023, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Wednesday in parliament.
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“In 2023, two important structural, institutional changes await us – the creation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Foreign Intelligence Service. Two bills will soon be approved by the government and sent to parliament,” Pashinyan said.
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He noted that the activities of the SVR will not be standard and similar to the work of other departments, an element of secrecy will prevail.
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“This is being done to establish the institution, and here I hope for your understanding and support,” the prime minister said, addressing the deputies.
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Earlier, Deputy Minister of Justice Arpine Sargsyan said that a Ministry of Internal Affairs would be created in Armenia, which would unite the police, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Migration Service. Its functions will include the protection of public order, the prevention and detection of crimes, the management of disaster risks, state reserves, the solution of humanitarian problems, migration and citizenship issues. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia was transformed into the police from January 1, 2003.
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In July, Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan announced the government’s intention to create an independent body dealing with foreign intelligence. Now the intelligence agency operates as part of the National Security Service. In addition, a military intelligence department functions within the structure of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
