ArmInfo. The European Union hopes to start a dialogue with Armenia on the liberalization of the visa regime. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin stated at a press conference in Yerevan on May 10, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the European Union, answering to the question of ArmInfo.
The Ambassador noted that this issue was discussed between Armenia and the EU last week, this topic was also on the agenda of the commission. At the same time, the diplomat reminded that in order to start the dialogue, it is necessary that all 27 EU member states give their consent.
"Of course, our position is positive. But, all EU member states should participate in this process, and we hope that we will start this process. I believe that we will continue this process on behalf of the EU institutions. The Armenian Foreign Ministry is very active, the EU countries have some concerns, but in any case, everything is going in the right direction," the diplomat summed up.
It should be noted that an agreement on visa facilitation on December 17, 2012, as well, an Agreement on readmission in April 2013 were signed between Armenia and the EU. Both documents entered into force on January 1, 2014. The visa facilitation agreement has accelerated the procedure for issuing visas at the consulates of the EU countries located in Yerevan. The price of a visa after the signing of the agreement was reduced to thirty-five euros against sixty euros, which were paid by tourists before the ratification of the agreement. The process of granting multiple visas, which was previously complicated and lengthy, has also been facilitated. And citizens of Armenia with diplomatic passports are completely exempted from the need to obtain a visa. The simplification of the scheme for issuing visas also affected the terms of stay of Armenian citizens in the territory of the EU countries. Now this period is ninety days for every one hundred and eighty days.
We also note that the Armenian authorities have repeatedly declared their readiness to move to the second stage of cooperation and start a dialogue with the EU on the complete liberalization of the visa regime. In the meantime, the EU stated that they have some concerns about the implementation by Armenia of its agreements on the issue of readmission.