Ministry of Internal Affairs (Armenia)
| Ներքին գործերի նախարարություն Nerk’in gortseri nakhararut’yun | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 9 January 2023 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Jurisdiction | Government of Armenia |
| Headquarters | Yerevan |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Child agencies |
|
| Website | mia.gov.am |
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (Armenian: Ներքին գործերի նախարարություն, romanized: Nerk’in gortseri nakhararut’yun) is the Armenian government ministry which oversees the Police of Armenia, the Migration and Citizenship Service, and the Rescue Service.[2] The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, appointed by the decree of the Prime Minister of Armenia. The current minister is Arpine Sargsyan since November 2024.[1]
History
First ministry
On 21 June 1992, President Levon Ter-Petrosyan created the Ministry of Internal Affairs from the former Soviet Armenian Interior Ministry and the Soviet Internal Troops.[3] It operated until December 2002, when the ministry was reorganized into the Police of Armenia.[4]
Reformation
In 2019, the Ministry of Justice recommended the re-establishment of the ministry as part of the government's three-year strategy of police reforms.[5] In 2021, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to recreate the Interior Ministry.[6][7]
On 24 November 2022, during a regular Cabinet meeting chaired by Pashinyan a draft law on the reestablishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was adopted,[8] with the Ministry of Emergency Situations ceasing its activities according to the transition schedule.[9] In December, the National Assembly of Armenia approved a government proposal to set up the ministry.[10] Pashinyan noted that the purpose of the creation of the interior ministry was aimed at “increasing the effectiveness of the work of the police”[11] and the move was supported by members of parliament, one of whom said that it would increase “democratic oversight” of the police.[12]
Agencies under the MIA
Police
The Police of the Republic of Armenia is the national police of Armenia.[13] It descends from the first police service of Armenia, formed in 1918, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the First Republic of Armenia. On April 21, 1920, a Militia was formed in Yerevan based on the Soviet model.
Rescue Service
The Rescue Service was an auxiliary to the Armed Forces of Armenia and was formerly under the Ministry of Emergency Situations.[14] The ministry utilizes Stepanavan Airport in Lori Province to support the rescue services by fighting wildfires. Fire-fighting aircraft based there includes Beriev Be-200 aircraft, which was in the process of being purchased by the Russian government.[15]
Migration and Citizenship Service
The Migration and Citizenship Service is the government agency that regulates the migration system of Turkmenistan, implements state policy in the field of migration. In December 1990, the Committee on Refugee Issues under the Council of Ministers was established, based on the State Committee for the Reception and Resettlement of Armenians Repatriating from the Armenian SSR. In 2016, the Service became part of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development. Since 2023, the Migration and Citizenship Service has been operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.[16]
Ministry Structure
- Minister's Office
- Structural Divisions
- Department of Strategic Planning, Policy Development and Monitoring
- Service Quality Control Department
- Disaster and Emergency Management Department
- Internal Security and Anti-Corruption Department
- Legal Department
- Department of Registration and Examination Services, Permits and Licensing
- Supporting Professional Divisions
- Human Resources Management Department
- International Cooperation Department
- Public Communication and Outreach Department
- Finance and Budget Department
- Economic Department
- Document Management Department
- Information Technology and Communication Department
- Mobilization and Civil Defense Department
List of ministers
See also
References
- ^ a b "Arpine Sargsyan appointed Minister of Internal Affairs". Armenpress news agency. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Government - Structure - The Government of the Republic of Armenia". www.gov.am. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ See for example http://www.mia.gov.az/index.php?/en/content/278/
- ^ "FROM THE RA POLICE HISTORY: CHRONICS". Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ "Armenian Government Plans to Set up Interior Ministry".
- ^ "Process of formation of home affairs ministry on agenda – Armenia's PM - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia".
- ^ "Creation of interior ministry on agenda – Armenian PM on Police reforms | ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency".
- ^ "Interior Ministry to be restored in Armenia". www.1lurer.am. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "Ministry of Internal Affairs will be formed in the system of state administration of Armenia, the Ministry of Emergency Situations will cease its activities". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ ռ/կ, «Ազատություն» (2022-12-16). "Armenian Parliament OKs Creation Of Interior Ministry". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ MassisPost (2022-11-26). "Armenian Government to Create Interior Ministry • MassisPost". MassisPost. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ Saribekian, Gayane (2022-07-12). "Armenian Government Revives Plans To Create Interior Ministry". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "Policing Profiles of Participating and Partner States. Aermenia". POLIS – Policing OnLine Information System. Archived from the original on 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ ""It is important for the ministry to develop in tune with emerging challenges" - PM introduces newly appointed Minister of Emergency Situations". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ "Mapy.cz". Mapy.cz.
- ^ "History • New Moon". migration.mia.gov.am. Retrieved 2026-01-26.