On Tuesday 23 July, the European Commission announced the launch of a dialogue with Armenia on visa liberalisation, following the green light given on 22 July by the EU foreign affairs ministers.
“The dialogue will lead to reforms in substantial areas including the security of travel documents, border management, migration and asylum, public order, external relations and fundamental rights issues in Armenia”, the Commission announced in a press release.
The Commission “will monitor progress in these areas rigorously, in close collaboration with the European Parliament and the Council”.
The dialogue will be conducted within the framework of an action plan for visa liberalisation, which will be presented to the Armenian authorities following discussions within the Council.
“Once the dialogue is successfully completed, it will be easier and less costly for Armenian citizens to travel to Europe for short-term stays (less than 90 days in any 180-day period)”.
Armenian citizens have already benefited from a visa facilitation agreement with the EU since 1 January 2014. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)