The Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for promoting the European way of life, Margarítis Schinás, travelled to Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday 9 September for the official launch at political level of a dialogue on visa liberalisation in the EU (less than 90 days out of a period of 180 days), as announced by the Commission on 6 September.
“The aim of this dialogue is to eventually lift the visa obligation for citizens of Armenia for short term stays in the EU once the Armenian authorities have implemented substantial reforms in key areas such as security of travel documents, border, migration and asylum management, public order and security, and fundamental rights related to the freedom of movement”, explains the Commission.
The EU ‘Foreign Affairs’ Council of 22 July gave the go-ahead for this dialogue. Armenian citizens have already enjoyed the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the EU since 1 January 2014. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)