President Serzh Sargsyan convenes National Security Council meeting

Today, President of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of National Security Council Serzh Sargsyan convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the development of the military-industrial complex, as well as issues related to the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework in the fight against terrorism.

The first issue on the agenda was reported by Deputy Minister of Defense, Chairman of State Military-Industrial Committee of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia David Pakhchanyan. Director of National Security Service Georgy Kutoyan and Head of Police Vladimir Gasparyan reported back the activities aimed at combating terrorism with a focus on the existing problems and future activities.

The NSC members approved the State Military-Industrial Complex Development Program. A number of instructions were issued for the Government based on the proposals submitted during the discussion.

After taking note of the reports made by the NSS Director and the Head of Police on strengthening the legal and institutional framework in the fight against terrorism, the National Security Council approved the draft “Schedule of measures to ensure implementation of the provisions of the national strategy for combating terrorism in the territory Republic of Armenia.” The Government was instructed to proceed with its implementation in the prescribed manner.

While presenting the above-mentioned issue, it was noted that the draft as approved by the Government in 2012 needs to be improved, taking into account the existing geopolitical developments, the high level of the threat of terrorism in the region, as well as the current trends and transformations of terrorism.

The President of Armenia highlighted three directions as the most effective means to combat terrorism – improved operational-investigation activities, including technical refurbishment, building the capacity of anti-terrorist units, expanding international cooperation and the sharing of best practices.