Visa facilitation to benefit Armenia and Eu; Deputy foreign minister says

YEREVAN, February 27. /ARKA/. The agreements on visa facilitation and readmission between Armenia and the EU will benefit both sides, deputy Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian said today in Yerevan.

The European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the Government of Armenia, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched today in Yerevan negotiations on two agreements to facilitate respectively the procedures for issuing short-stay visas, as well as the readmission of irregular migrants between the European Union and Armenia.

The proposal to start negotiations was made by the European Commission in September 2011. The agreements on visa facilitation and readmission should enter into force simultaneously.

"The negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements are separate processes which will proceed along with other programs designed to strengthen relations between Armenia and the EU, including the negotiations on Association Agreement with the EU and free trade area, ‘ Mnatsakanian said. 

He said the Armenian team of negotiators is well mobilized. 

"We are working closely with other government agencies – the police, the state migration service, the ministry of labor and social affairs, the National Security Service and the ministry of justice," he said.He added that the Armenian team has experience in negotiating similar documents. 

"We have 12 bilateral agreements with EU member states. This is a very significant, confidence inspiring experience," he said.

He said it is difficult to say when the negotiation process will end and the agreement will take effect.

"I can only say that negotiations will not take years,’» he said.

The agreements will be based on reciprocity and provide visa facilitation for Armenian citizens. The list of suggested visa facilitations include the simplification of documentary evidence in support of the visa application, the possibility of issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity, the waiving/reducing of the handling fees for specific categories of travelers, set deadlines for processing visa applications, as well as a possible exemption from the visa obligation for holders of diplomatic passports. 

At the same time, the agreements will combine the easing of visa requirements for travelers from Armenia with agreed mechanisms for the readmission of irregular migrants. The negotiation of readmission agreements will provide for the return of nationals staying without authorization on the territory of the EU or Armenia. -0-