We discuss all matters with our Iranian colleagues, but the matter noted by the US Secretary of State was related to increasing the effectiveness of our border control, not to any particularly sensitive aspects with this or that country. Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan told this to reporters at the National Assembly of Armenia Friday—and referring to the fact that after the signing of the Armenian-American strategic partnership document last week, then US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had announced that a team will visit Armenia regarding border security, and when asked to what extent this relates to Iran and whether this matter has been discussed with Iranian colleagues.

Hovhannisyan noted that Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan visited Iran recently, and no concerns or fears were voiced by Iran in that regard.

“I believe the statement that was issued was another evidence of our close relations and our special cooperative relations. I have not seen any matter that we will not reach an agreement on with the Iranian side, our relations are at an unprecedented high level, and we see evidence of this—both from recent visits and statements by other officials,” said the Armenian deputy FM.

When asked what the strengthening of Armenia’s border capacity means, Hovhannisyan responded: “It has always been carried out by a third country; finally we [i.e. Armenia] should be able to control our border ourselves.”

The Armenian deputy FM added that as a result of such work, Russian border guards might withdraw from the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders altogether.

“Of course, in an ideal world, every country should be able to control its borders. And that support lies in the sharing of experience corresponding to the increase in our capacity,” Hovhannisyan said.