EU & Armenia Launch Political Level Dialogue on Visa Liberalisation

The European Union and Armenia have discussed the initiation of dialogue on visa liberalisation for Armenia at political level.

In this regard, the European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas met today with the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan, Schengen.News reports.

During his visit to Armenia, Schinas said that other aspects of the EU-Partnership Agenda will also be discussed.

Through this dialogue, both parties aim to reach an agreement to abolish visa requirements for nationals of Armenia for short-term stays in the EU countries once authorities in Armenia have implemented substantial reforms in significant areas such as security of travel documents, migration and asylum management, border, public order and security as well as fundamental rights related to the freedom of movement.

The EU Delegation indicates that this dialogue will be a multi-year process that will be undertaken in cooperation with EU countries.

In July this year, the European Commission launched visa liberalisation talks with Armenia. Back then, it was reported that the dialogue between both parties would be conducted under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP).

The launching of visa liberalisation talks between the EU and Armenia comes following several initiatives to tighten connections with Armenia. However, there are several conditions that Armenia needs to meet before the agreement takes effect.

Last month, it was reported that some Armenian citizens are being denied from reaching EU countries in spite of holding valid Schengen Visas.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this comes after some Armenians have altered their plans after obtaining Schengen visas.

The Ministry said that some Armenian citizens, as soon as their Schengen visas are approved, change their itinerary and cancel their hotel reservations in a specific country in which they applied for a Schengen visa.

However, some Armenian nationals dismissed such pretensions, stressing that the itinerary changes are not the reason they are being denied from entering the EU countries.

Recently, several Armenians have expressed their concerns related to long waiting times when it comes to obtaining a Schengen visa.

Source: https://schengen.news/eu-armenia-launch-political-level-dialogue-on-visa-liberalisation/