YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–On March 14–Director of the Russian Federal Border Service (FBS) Colonel-General Konstantin Totsky arrived in Yerevan on a two-day visit. At Zvartnots Airport Totsky told journalists that during his visit he is to meet with the leaders of Armenia–visit borderline military units and get acquainted with the situation on the borders.
The FBS director will meet with President Robert Kocharian–Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and Minister of National Security Karlos Petrossian. The FBS director will also sign a protocol of a working meeting and annual estimates of financing the task group of the Russian FBS in Armenia.
The FBS director said that there is no need to reduce or increase the personnel of the Russian frontier troops stationed in Armenia. He pointed out that in the Soviet times the number of Russian frontier detachmen’s and posts remained unchanged. "We consider the present number to be optimal–and its reducing would reduce safety," the colonel-general emphasized.
Regarding the Armenian-Turkish border–Totsky said the Armenian government did not have any claims in connection with the defense of this frontier. He pointed out that the situation is under control in the territory–and the Russian side is trying to settle such clashes as exchange of fire–by negotiating with Turkish frontier authorities.
At the airport–Totsky was met by Minister of National Security Karlos Petrossian–Commander of the Armenian frontier troops–Lieutenant-General Levon Stepanian and Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Dryukov.