SITUATION ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER UNDER TOUGH CONTROL

[MosJan]

SITUATION ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER UNDER TOUGH CONTROL

 

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: General Pankov, the commander of the operative group of Russian frontier troops in Armenia, who patrol Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian border along with Armenian border guards, said they have undertaken a range of measures to reinforce border protection, subsequent to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA.

General Pankov said the Russian border troops coordinate their actions with Armenian national security and interior ministries. Pankov said no serious accidents were reported on the Armenian-Turkish border, but said the situation on this section of border is always tense and complicated.

Pankov said last year the border guards prevented 63 cases of border trespassing. The border check points issued 181,708 visas, of which 99,000 to foreigners. Pankov said 300 persons were rejected visas and some 2,000 items of ammunition, explosives and cold steel were confiscated.

Russian border troops have been patrolling Armenia's border, a total of 370 km, of which 328 km with Turkey and 45 km with Iran, since 1992 on the basis of a relevant agreement, which was prolonged by a 1994 agreement.