ArmInfo. The activity of VisaMetric CJSC in Armenia can be blocked if violations of legislation in the sphere of ensuring the confidentiality of personal data of citizens are revealed. This, responding to the question of ArmInfo, on April 5 after the meeting of the government, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan stated.
As the deputy minister stressed, the issue should be fully studied, since it is unacceptable for Armenia that the issue of confidentiality of personal data is jeopardized. "Based on the studies, a decision will be made," Kocharian said, stressing that even before the final decision was taken, the German Embassy in Armenia has already stated that the former procedure for accepting applications for issuing visas will be in force.
At the same time, answering a question about whether it is possible that, based on the results of VisaMetric studies in Armenia, the authority to receive visa application documents will still be delegated, Shavarsh Kocharyan stated: "At this stage, the issue is in the focus of attention, is under consideration. Armenia has a law "On the protection of personal data of citizens" and if there is a threat of violation of their confidentiality, we will take appropriate steps. "
The day before, the German embassy in Armenia issued a statement that while it continues to accept applications for the provision of Schengen visas to Austria, the FRG, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden. "For technical reasons, the company VisaMetrick, which from April 3 had to accept applications for obtaining Schengen visas at the German Embassy, can not yet carry out its mission," the German embassy in the statement said. It should be noted that the Ministry of Justice of Armenia earlier blocked the processing of personal data by VisaMetric. The Ministry of Justice began to check the activities of VisaMetrick, in connection with the concern of the citizens of Armenia that VisaMetrik is a Russian- Turkish consortium headquartered in Turkey. RA citizens are afraid that their personal data will be placed at the disposal of the Turkish side by means of JSC "VisaMetrik". However, previously the German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler assured that under the Center's activities the rules of confidentiality and safety standards will be strictly observed. "The Armenian office will be headed by a citizen of Armenia, the employees will also be citizens of Armenia, no personal information can get into third parties," the diplomat assured. According to him, the company was selected on a strict competitive basis, taking into account objective criteria. The competition was held for the South Caucasus region as a whole, and not for a single Armenia. The Center also operates in Central Asia. Recall that since April 3 of this year, Armenian citizens had to apply for Schengen visa for a visit to Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden, not to the German Embassy in Armenia, but to the special center "VisaMetrik". This was motivated by the fact that the diplomatic department does not manage to process so many applications for a Schengen visa.