Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs does not expect an increase in emigration to EU after visa liberalization

YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. The Armenian authorities do not expect an increase in emigration to EU countries if the visa regime is liberalized, stated Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan.

"In this context, there are frequent inquiries regarding whether there are worries that the risk of emigration to EU countries might increase due to visa liberalization. I can assert with confidence that Armenia harbors no such concerns," Sargsyan remarked in parliament on Thursday.

She noted that, in light of the peace established in the country and the sectoral reforms undertaken, emigration in Armenia has shifted towards immigration. "If these conditions continue, immigration trends will certainly intensify," the minister emphasized.

Previously, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner indicated that visa-free travel for Armenia could become a feasible option in the upcoming years if the current reform momentum is sustained.

The Armenia-EU Visa Liberalization Dialogue was officially initiated in September 2024. EU expert missions visited Armenia in the spring of 2025, and on November 5, 2025, the European Commission presented a Visa Liberalization Action Plan to Yerevan.

Earlier,  Arpine Sargsyan mentioned that the actions required to implement this plan align with the reforms scheduled for the country. The Action Plan comprises 74 essential points, categorized into four sections: biometric documents (passports and ID cards), border management (including migration and asylum), public order (covering the fight against drugs, human trafficking, crime prevention, and anti-corruption initiatives), and the safeguarding of human rights.-0-