The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, called on Tuesday 5 March in Brussels for the launch of the dialogue on visa liberalisation for Armenia "as soon as possible".
Speaking to the press, Mr Juncker explained that all the technical conditions were met and that he would initiate a dialogue with the most reluctant Member States, which must give their agreement to launch such a dialogue. Visa facilitation and readmission agreements have been in force since 2014.
The Armenian Prime Minister also called on EU Member States to accelerate progress towards ratification of the EU–Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, signed in November 2017 (see EUROPE 11912). Part of the agreement is already being implemented on a provisional basis.
And while Mr Pashinyan explained at length all the ongoing reform efforts in his country and that "democracy is no longer in danger in Armenia", Mr Juncker stressed the need to work on the fight against corruption and judicial reform.
The President of the Commission also welcomed the fact that the Armenian Prime Minister has put internal reforms and cooperation with the EU at the heart of his agenda. Earlier today, at a press briefing with European Council President Donald Tusk, Mr Pashinyan underlined his country's "determination" to strengthen partnership with the EU.
It also welcomed the EU's "balanced" position on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr Tusk said he was encouraged by recent contacts between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and welcomed the ongoing reduction in tensions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)