Russian border guards set up checkpoints in Syunik
The mayor of Meghrin admitted that these points create certain problems for local tourism
Controlling the border of Armenia with Iran Russia border guards installed checkpoints on several roads in the southern Syunik province. The reason for this is the increase in drug smuggling and other illegal border activities.
Photos of the checkpoints on the road connecting Meghrin with other cities went viral earlier this week. This is from Syunik Azerbaijan has led to speculation about possible preparations for the opening of the transit route.
The provisions of the cease-fire declaration
Azerbaijan Through Syunik Nakhchivan the exclave is waiting for the one who will get the highway and railway connection. This is about the ceasefire in Karabakh20provided for in the tripartite declaration signed in According to the document, the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) should ensure security on transport routes passing through Armenia.
Yerevan says it will retain its sovereignty over the said roads. Baku and he calls that road “Zangazur Corridor”, indicating that it will have the status of the Lachin Corridor.
2020after the 44-day war in Russia soldiers are stationed. Azerbaijan As a result of that war, he regained control over a part of Karabakh and 7 surrounding districts.
Pashinyan’s proposal
Prime Minister of Armenia Nicole Pashinyan At the meeting of the government on August 4, he rejected the logic of the corridor and said that from this very day, Azerbaijan is not only from Syunik, but from the entire territory of Armenia. Armenia according to the legislation, it can be used for the purpose of transit.
Before Pashinyan’s speech, the situation in Karabakh became tense, at least two Armenian soldiers and one Azerbaijani were killed in the shootings near the Lachin corridor. soldier was killed.
The separatist Armenian authorities in Karabakh have announced that Armenians must evacuate several villages along the Lachin corridor by September. It is reported that Armenians will use an alternative route to the Lachin corridor from next month.
Mayor of Meghrin Bagrat Zakarian on August 9, he told the Armenian service of RFE/RL that in Syunik Russia border crossing points were established several months ago. He added that five such stations were established on the road connecting Megri with several towns and villages in Syunik.
Border violations
The Department of Border Guards of the FSB in Armenia said that this is to prevent smuggling, illegal migration and other violations. Armenia was done in the framework of coordination with the authorities.
FSB recently Armenia–Iran says that a tense situation has arisen in the Meghri part of the state border, which is caused by drug smuggling attempts from Iran to Armenia.
It is noted that cases of violations of the border by members of extremist and terrorist groups have also occurred.
Armenian government officials have not yet commented on the establishment of Russian checkpoints on the roads in Syunik.
The mayor of Meghrin admitted that these points create certain problems for local tourism
“There are some tourists here village they have to go through passport control procedures to go to their places”, – Zakaryan stressed.