YEREVAN. – The 35th session of the council of heads of the security agencies and secret services of the CIS member states kicked off in the resort city of Tsakhkadzor on Wednesday (photos).

The delegations form Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia, representatives of France, Spain, Italy, Germany, CIS Anti-Terrorist Center and other CIS bodies are participating in the session.

Addressing the participants, director of National Security Service (NSS) Gorik Hakobyan expressed hope that the work of regular session will be efficient and will give a new impetus to the development of cooperation and struggle against the crimes. He noted that world policy changes have affected the Middle East, CIS area, Armenia and Diaspora.

At the same time, NSS Director stressed the unrealized potential which is hindered by problems in many sectors. Hakobyan said the CIS states are taking steps to neutralize threats, primarily the threats posed by the international terrorism. The fight against international terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, arms trafficking remains a priority for the security of the CIS countries. “An arc of instability” passing through the region is tending to expand and involve other states, which creates a dangerous situation for the world, he added In conclusion, NSS Director stressed the need to develop common mechanisms to counter modern threats.

The Azerbaijani delegation is not participating in the session.