ArmInfo.The implementation of ID cards in Armenia will be extended for 2 years. Amendments to the laws "On Identification Cards" and "On Citizen Passport" are discussed at a plenary session of the parliament on April 19.
Presenting the package of amendments, Deputy Chief of the RA Police Hovhannes Kocharyan noted that the process of introducing ID cards and biometric passports started in 2008. The deadline for their introduction expires in 2019, but about 300 thousand citizens of the country are still need to receive them. In this regard, it is proposed to extend the period by 2 years - until 2021. The deputy police chief also said that from January 1, 2017, the term of the contract with the Polish company PWPW, which printed biometric passports and ID cards, expired. With the extension of the terms of their introduction will be an opportunity to negotiate with the producers of identity documents. A new contract will be concluded with the winner of the upcoming competition.
Earlier, at the meeting of the RA government, Chief of the RA Police Valery Osipyan noted that with the adoption of the package, the social issue will be resolved, because in the absence of an ID card, a citizen will have to pay 25 thousand drams instead of 3 thousand. The police chief emphasized that the cost of producing one biometric passport is 10 euros, that is, for 300 thousand citizens of the country it is necessary to find about 3 million euros.
To note, since January 1, 2014, Armenian citizens do not receive old-style passports, since ID cards and biometric passports have come into force. The fee for an identification card is 3 thousand drams, for a biometric passport 25 thousand drams. ID cards and biometric passports are issued for a period of 10 years. The identification card is intended for internal use, and the passport is for travel outside the state.
The identification card has the appearance of a regular plastic card, and the passport is a type of the current passport of a citizen of Armenia. In addition to personal data, digital photos, electronic signatures, the passport will contain the fingerprints of two index fingers of the owner.
To recall, the process of introducing new passports started in Armenia since 2008. The introduction of a biometric passport system and the manufacture of electronic ID cards are carried out by the Polish company PWPW.