President Serzh Sargsyan’s Address to the 35th session of the Council of the Heads of the security agencies and special services of the CIS member states

Distinguished Guests,

I welcome you to Armenia and wish you productive and constructive work. The topic and issues included in the agenda of the session prove the expediency and urgency of ensuring security on the regional and international levels.

International terrorism, supranational crime, natural disasters, and anthropogenic catastrophes – this is an incomplete list of probable menaces which the humanity is facing today. Disastrous nature and tragic consequences of the contemporary challenges and threats only prove the necessity to find new, more efficient modes and means to thwart them.

Escalation of confrontation, hateful rhetoric, and arms race under the existing unresolved conflicts constitute the most serious threats for our common security, resulting in the increased tension and potentially explosive situations.

The role of security agencies and special services in the prevention and frustration of the incidents mentioned above is great. These structures stand out for their cohesion, tenacity, outstanding professionalism, dedication to the public interest; in the fight against threats to national security they stay in the front line for the benefit of the sustainable development and prosperity of our countries. The Council of the Heads of the security agencies and special services of the CIS member states is an important tool for the preservation of the regional and international security.

I hope that the 35th session of the Council will become an important step for enhancing trust and deepening of cooperation in this area among our states, which are bonded with the common history and have traditionally friendly relations.

I wish successful and efficient works to the participants of the session, as well as new achievements, accomplishments and all the best.