EU to explore possibilities of visa liberalization for Armenia

YEREVAN, November 17. /ARKA/. European Commission’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Peter Stano said in an interview with Armenpress what Armenian authorities have to do for the EU to launch visa liberalization talks with Armenia.

‘Visa liberalization is something that is very important because it's tangible and visible for people. But it's also something where all the Member States need to agree eventually and where there are also tasks to be fulfilled on the side of the partner country, in this case of Armenia, but again, it's important that there is an agreement. We want to start to look at the options and explore the possibility of visa liberalization. So, we are launching a process. This is the start of the process, but it is a process that eventually, if everything goes well, might bring a lot of benefits for the Armenian citizens,’ Stano said. 

According to Stano, in general, for visa liberalization, there are technical requirements that means biometric passports, for example, but also political requirements to make sure that the political framework in the country prevents people from misusing the asylum system.

‘First of all, that people are not forced to leave the country and claim asylum. Because this is one of the main priorities when it comes to visa. Free visa regimes that we don't want to have sudden increase of asylum seekers and in order to prevent the misuse of the, let's say, visa free or liberalized travel regime. So political criteria and technical logistical criteria on the side of the applicant and then of course the Member States need to be convinced, need to be assured that everything has been done on the side of the partner country that the visa liberalization in this case will not be misused,’ he said.

Earlier, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan welcomed the decision of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers to start negotiations with Armenia on visa liberalization

"The process is progressing. It is necessary that there are no objections from all member countries.... We will continue to work actively with the EU and its member states," Hovhannisyan said.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that the decision is in line with the deepening of cooperation between Armenia and the EU and will play a significant role in the development of people-to-people contacts. --0--