The EU Commission has resumed negotiations with Armenia on easing the visa regime. The negotiations are taking place within the framework of the VLAP, a plan to liberalize the visa regime. The plan has already been developed and should be presented to the Armenian government.
This issue has been raised several times over the past few years. The European Union and Armenia are mutually striving for rapprochement, and the elimination of the visa regime will significantly help in this.
So far, Armenia has a visa-free regime only with Serbia (up to 90 days) and Albania (without time limits) from European countries. But as an advantage over many other passports, Armenian documents allow visa-free entry to China for 90 days.
Why there is still no visa-free regime
Armenia has had visa relaxations in the Schengen zone for a long time. For example, Armenians pay a fee of only 35 euros, and not 90, as they do in other countries.
Despite this, Armenia has long been counting on a visa-free regime, and the country’s leadership considers it a great achievement that negotiations have finally begun. They have been moving towards this for the last 5-6 years.
What is being discussed at the negotiations
The Commission insists that Armenia must carry out reforms in the field of travel document security, as well as issuing permits for migration and asylum. In addition, the country will have to make changes in the field of human rights control at the border.
Here are the main conditions that are put forward within the VLAP:
- Introduction of a biometric passport system in Armenia to enhance security
- Introduction of legislation to combat discrimination and persecution
- Changes in health insurance
- Introduction of integrated border control for rapid response
It is important to understand that the negotiations can last a long time and they will not be completed until Armenia fulfills all the conditions. For example, the EU negotiations with Ukraine took 9 years. Despite this, Armenia is ready for the long road and the required changes. As Arman Egoyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Armenian Parliament on European Integration, said, the country may consider joining the EU in the future.
