A foreign counterintelligence unit will be created within the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia.

At Thursday’s cabinet meeting, the government approved the draft laws on “Amendments and Additions to the Law on National Security Bodies” and “Amendments and Additions to the Law on Service in National Security Bodies.” They were considered urgent and will be sent to the National Assembly (NA) for debates.

It is noted that the need for passing these bills is based on the law “On Foreign Intelligence Activity and Foreign Intelligence Service,” passed by the NA December 23, 2022, which regulates legal relations arising in foreign intelligence activity.

In order to carry out counterintelligence, including foreign counterintelligence, more effectively and systematically by the NSS, it became necessary to establish a foreign counterintelligence unit on the basis of the NSS Main Directorate of Intelligence, according to the explanation of the aforesaid decision.

This unit will also ensure the security of Armenian diplomatic service agencies in foreign countries. Thus, frameworks for cooperation between the NSS counterintelligence and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Armenia will also be planned.

The unit will be granted the authority to freely access the information systems and/or databases of state and local self-government bodies and organizations, including in remote access mode, as necessary for its activities.

Also, the aforementioned bills propose introducing citizens over 30 years of age into positions requiring specialized knowledge within the NSS border troops, special units, and other structural subdivisions of Armenia.