Russian Foreign Ministry plans opening its Consulate General in Armenia’s southern town of Kapan in early 2024. Andrey Shonin, head of the leading group responsible for the opening of the consulate told Sputnik Armenia.

Currently, he added, the selection process of service and residential areas for employees is underway.

Further, he noted that the reason for opening a Russian diplomatic representation in Kapan are obvious given the large number of Russian citizens living in the province of Syunik. They are employees of the Meghri border guard detachment (on the border with Iran).

"The geographical location of Syunik region and its distance from Yerevan indicate that the consular presence here is absolutely necessary. We have a main consulate in Gyumri, and those who want to receive Russian consular services in the north of Armenia can apply there," said Shonin.

The same set of services will be provided in the consulate, as in any other Russian consular institution anywhere in the world, he said.

Before the planned opening of the Consulate General (in early 2024), Russian diplomats are preparing to hold meetings in October, where all interested parties will receive answers and clarifications regarding consular services and the order of their provision.