A team of experts from the European Union has arrived in Armenia to develop a plan for visa liberalisation. This initiative aims to enable Armenian citizens to travel to the EU without a visa, provided they meet certain conditions.

Purpose of the EU Expert Mission

The delegation consists of officials from various EU member states, Frontex (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency), and other relevant EU bodies. Their visit, which lasts until February 14, focuses on assessing Armenia's preparedness for visa liberalisation and identifying any gaps that need to be addressed.

Key Areas of Assessment

During their stay, the experts will evaluate Armenia's readiness in multiple areas, including:

• Border and Migration Management: Ensuring Armenia has effective systems to monitor and regulate migration.
• Document Security: Verifying that Armenian passports and identification documents meet EU security standards.
• Law Enforcement Cooperation: Assessing Armenia's ability to collaborate with EU agencies on crime prevention and border security.
• Human Rights Protection: Ensuring compliance with EU human rights standards in handling migrants and asylum seekers.

Why Visa Liberalisation Matters

Visa liberalisation is a crucial step for strengthening Armenia’s ties with the EU. If granted, Armenian citizens will be able to visit Schengen countries without applying for a visa, making travel easier for tourism, business, and family visits. However, they will still be subject to the 90-day stay limit within any 180-day period.

Armenia’s Progress So Far

Armenia has already taken significant steps towards meeting the EU’s criteria. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Armen Ghazaryan, highlighted progress in migration management due to Armenia’s close cooperation with the EU.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reassured the EU that visa liberalisation will not lead to an increase in irregular migration. In September last year, he confirmed that Armenia had implemented necessary measures to prevent uncontrolled migration flows into the EU.

EU-Armenia Political Dialogue on Visa Liberalisation

The EU and Armenia officially began discussions on visa liberalisation at a political level in September last year. This dialogue aims to establish the necessary framework for a smooth transition to visa-free travel.

Support from European Countries

Several EU nations have already expressed their support for Armenia’s visa-free aspirations:

• Poland: One of the strongest supporters of Armenia’s efforts towards visa liberalisation.
• France: President Emmanuel Macron has assured Armenian authorities of France’s backing in reaching an agreement with the EU.

Challenges and Next Steps

While Armenia has made progress, there are still challenges to overcome:

• Enhancing border security measures to meet EU standards.
• Improving document security to prevent fraud and identity theft.
• Ensuring strong legal frameworks for migration management.

The EU expert mission’s findings will be used to create a detailed action plan, outlining the necessary steps Armenia must take to finalize the visa liberalisation process.

What This Means for Armenian Citizens

For Armenians, visa liberalisation would bring numerous benefits:

• Freedom to travel to EU countries for short stays without the hassle of visa applications.
• Easier access to business opportunities and cultural exchanges.
• Strengthened diplomatic and economic ties between Armenia and the EU.

However, those planning to stay in the EU for more than 90 days will still need to apply for long-term visas or residency permits.

Conclusion

Armenia’s path to visa-free travel with the EU is making steady progress, but there is still work to be done. With strong political will and continued cooperation with EU institutions, Armenia is moving closer to achieving this milestone. If successful, it will mark a significant step forward in Armenia’s integration with Europe, benefiting its citizens and strengthening international relations.