According to the law “On Service in National Security Bodies”, one of the grounds for conducting counterintelligence activities by RA national security bodies is also the necessity of ensuring security within the bodies of the diplomatic service of RA in foreign states. In order to address this crucial task, the First Main Directorate of Counterintelligence was established within the system of the National Security Service of RA, which carries out external counterintelligence activities.

External counterintelligence is an activity carried out within the powers of the national security bodies of RA, aimed at ensuring the security of the diplomatic service bodies of RA in foreign states, protecting information containing state secrets within those bodies, as well as ensuring the security of citizens and organizations of RA outside its borders.

The measures undertaken to ensure security within the diplomatic service bodies of RA in foreign states make it possible to timely detect and prevent the intelligence activities of foreign special services, other organizations, and individual persons.

The First Main Directorate of Counterintelligence, which performs external counterintelligence functions, also cooperates with foreign partner special services within the scope of its powers.