A foreign counterintelligence unit is planned to be established based on the Main Intelligence Department of the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia. This was announced Monday at the meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense and Security by NSS deputy director Yesayi Mkrtchyan during the debates on the package on amendments to the Law on National Security Bodies and related laws.

According to this legislative package, the aforesaid unit will also ensure the security of Armenia’s diplomatic missions in foreign countries.

The regulation of cooperation between intelligence and counterintelligence agencies of Armenia will be entrusted to the prime minister. “The Armenian national security bodies are also proposed to ensure, including electronically, access to the information systems and databases of state bodies, local self-government bodies, and organizations for the implementation of the functions assigned to them by law,” Mkrtchyan added.

After the debates, the aforementioned parliamentary committee approved this draft law.