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.