MEP: problem of lack of progress at beginning of dialogue on  EU-Armenia visa liberalization lies in European Council

ArmInfo. Next week, at the plenary session of the European Parliament, we will present a  resolution according to which we will contribute to the institutional ties with Armenia, the visa liberalization program, stated Viola von Cramon-Taubadel.

"Now we are pushing in a [European Parliament] resolution for next  week, to the plenary session, we push for a real visa action plan. We  aim to strengthen other institutional ties with Armenia to ensure  that the Armenian population feels welcomed.

We really would like to see Armenia at some point being or becoming a  part of the European Union. So at least if we come with a visa action  plan or liberalization action plan, this is something tangible for  the people and also in terms of trade and liberalization of our  markets," the MEP told Armenpress.

To the question of whether there are any obstacles for the European  Union to start talks with Armenia on visa liberalization, the member  of the European Parliament  answered that it is not the European  Parliament that would probably block or who has blocked so far. She  detailed that the problem has always existed in the European Council.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel noted that the diplomats of Armenia should  carry out some work on this issue with some EU member countries,  without clarifying which countries in particular. She said that some  EU member states have deep-rooted concerns regarding visa  liberalization with Armenia, the source reports.

An agreement on simplification of visa issuance procedures was signed  in December 2012, and a Readmission Agreement between Armenia and the  European Union was signed in April 2013. Both agreements entered into  force simultaneously on January 1, 2015. The UK, Ireland and Denmark  are not part of the agreement. In accordance with the agreement on  visa facilitation, citizens of Armenia enjoy simplified procedures  for obtaining entry visas to the Schengen area. This is meant for a  number of categories of Armenian citizens, in particular, members of  official delegations, scientists, students, journalists, sports and  cultural figures, close relatives of those legally residing in EU  countries, participants in events organized by the Armenian Diaspora  organizations operating in the EU, and others. Tariffs for an entry  visa to the Schengen zone were lowered from 60 euros to 35 euros. In  addition, it is provided free of charge to a number of categories of  citizens, including children and pensioners. In addition, this  agreement allows Armenian citizens to visit EU countries on  short-term visas for a period of 180 days instead of the previous 90.  In accordance with the agreement on visa facilitation, Armenian  citizens enjoy simplified procedures for obtaining entry visas to the  Schengen area.  Despite the fact that Armenia has fully complied with  the first stage of the agreement, the EU, for various reasons, is  delaying the launch of the second stage, at the start of the dialogue  on visa liberalization.