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Sargsyan, Patrushev discuss Armenia-RF interaction

The interlocutors touched upon regional events and challenge

YEREVAN, June 24 (Itar-Tass) - President Serge Sargsyan of the Republic of Armenia and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation (SCRF), have discussed "a wide range of matters concerning interaction betwee the two countries which are strategic allies," the presidential press service reported. Patrushev arrived here on Sunday for a three-day official visit at the head of an inter-agencydelegation of the RF.

The interlocutors touched upon regional events and challenges,aswellasthe current state of affairs in the process of negotiations on a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, a press service official pointed out.

In particular, Sargsyan and Patrushev discussed the course of work to enhance security along Armenia's State border with Turkey and Iran, and considered matters aimed at modernizing and reequipping borde-crossing stations. The border is patrolled by Russian borde guards.

The system for the guarding of Armenia's border with Turkey (330 km) and Iran (45 km) hasremained intact in full since Soviet times. The leadership of Armenia regards the presence of Russian border guards, along with the stay of a Russian military base (manned by personnel numbering about 5,000) as an important component of the republic's national security.

The interstate treaty on the status of the border troops of the RF on the republic's territory, concluded in Yerevan on September 30, 1992, is the basis for the present stay of Russsian border guards in the republic.

According to information circulated here, Patrushev will also visit Russian Base 102, stationed in the republic, the Hill of Honour memorial in the city of Gyumri, where the Russian warriors who perished in wars against Turkey in the 19th century lie buried.

When visiting the Byurakan astronomical observatory, named after Academician Viktor Ambartsumyan, of the Armenia's National Academy of Sciences, the SCRFchief will get acquainted with plans for cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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