European Commission launches dialogue with Armenia on visa liberalisation

The European Commission today announced the launch of a dialogue with Armenia on visa liberalisation. 

This process will help Armenia in its long-term objective of achieving a visa-free regime with the EU, the Commission said in a press release.

It also said this dialogue would lead to reforms in important areas, including travel document security, border management, migration and asylum, public order, external relations and fundamental rights issues in Armenia. The Commission will closely monitor progress in these areas, in close cooperation with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. 

The dialogue will be conducted within the framework of an action plan for visa liberalisation, which will be presented to the Armenian authorities following discussions within the Council of the EU, held on 22 July in Brussels. 

“Visa liberalisation is not an automatic process. It will only be considered once the dialogue has been completed and all the conditions listed in the action plan have been met,” the Commission said. “Once the dialogue has been concluded, it will be easier and cheaper for Armenian citizens to travel to Europe for short stays (less than 90 days in any 180-day period).” 

Armenian citizens have already enjoyed the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the EU since 1 January 2014.

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Press release