JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European Union countries to commit to helping Armenia protect its borders.
As reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, May 5, Macron reminded that currently this task is still carried out by Russian border guards.
Since the Soviet era, Armenia's border security systems with Turkey and Iran have remained relatively unchanged.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Guard Service in Armenia has four detachments stationed in Gyumri, Armavir, Artashat, and Meghri.
However, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on April 30 stated that Armenian border troops would replace the Russian military in guarding the republic's borders.
"Armenia has chosen to head to Europe. But at the same time, about 4,000 Russian soldiers are still in Armenian territory, more than 2,000 of whom are directly involved in border protection," Macron said in a speech to the French diaspora community in Armenia, Monday.
"Therefore, Europe must commit to helping maintain the borders of this country."
According to Macron, this step will give Armenia greater independence in guarding the border.
Since August 1, 2024, Armenian border troops have begun conducting independent patrols on the country's borders at Zvartnots without Russian involvement - for the first time since 1992.
Then, as of January 1, 2025, only Armenian personnel will be on duty at the Armenian-Iranian border checkpoints.
However, based on an agreement with the Russians, since January 2025 the forces of the Armenian National Security Service have continued joint operations with Russian border guards on the Armenian-Iranian and Armenian-Turkish borders.
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