Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today introduced newly appointed NSS Director Argishti Karamyan to the National Security Service staff.

The Prime Minister first thanked Eduard Martirosyan for good work as NSS Director, and before that, as Deputy Director. Nikol Pashinyan noted that Mr. Martirosyan served as NSS Director in a difficult period, and there will still be an opportunity to discuss the joint work done during this time and the steps to take ahead.

Introducing newly appointed National Security Service Director Argishti Karamyan, the Head of Government wished him every success in that important post. “I would like to underscore that the NSS is a strong, well-established and dynamic structure, but it should also be mentioned that the challenges and the pace and quality of response should be constantly improved. I have set Mr. Karamyan this very task so that the NSS could more effectively respond to security challenges. The meaning of the concept of security changes over time, new challenges appear that earlier, perhaps, were not predicted - starting with the coronavirus pandemic, ending with the problems of information and political security, the fight against corruption, the quality and dynamics of investigation of corruption cases. We must solve these problems,” the Premier said.

The Prime Minister said that two years is enough for the National Security Service staff to position themselves on the side of the non-violent velvet people’s revolution, that is, to promote people’s power and values. “After assuming the post of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in 2018, the most important task for me was to ensure the stability of such structures as the NSS and other law enforcement agencies, and create opportunities so that anyone who wished so could adapt to new realities. Now, the time has come to take stock of what has been done in this respect.”

The possibility of career advancement was deemed to be another key task on this way: “Very clear principles of career development should apply in the entire state system and in the NSS. Promotion should be based on work, professionalism, dedication to solving the constitutional and legislative tasks of the National Security Service in all areas. Unfortunately, we can see many people who keep acting contrary to this logic in the system of public administration, and sometimes abuse the principle of departmental solidarity, which is crucial for the activity of any structure.”

According to Nikol Pashinyan, it is necessary to make sure that departmental solidarity does not become an instrument of abuse and actions against the rules and interests of public service for anyone. The Prime Minister thanked Eduard Martirosyan once again and called effective the joint work with him, stressing that quite good human relations had been established.

Congratulating Argishti Karamyan once again on his appointment, Nikol Pashinyan said: “Mr. Karamyan, we both know what a difficult mission is being placed on your shoulders. I am sure that you will be able to mobilize the professional potential and the capabilities of the NSS and lead the Service to new achievements and a new image that will be acceptable to the citizens of Armenia. Modern world is changing dynamically, and we must be able to keep our hand on the pulse in order to benefit from the ongoing developments and resolutely thwart such changes as may prove at odds with Armenia's national interests.”

Former NSS Director Eduard Martirosyan thanked Nikol Pashinyan for trust and said it was a great honor for him to lead the Service where he had served for more than 20 years.

Newly appointed National Security Service Director Argishti Karamyan thanked the Prime Minister for high confidence. He assured that he would do his utmost to live up to the tasks set before the National Security Service.