European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner reaffirmed cooperation between the EU and Armenia at a dialogue on visa liberalisation held in Yerevan on Thursday 12 March.
Armenia is currently the only country engaged in such a process with the EU. If it comes to fruition, this dialogue will enable Armenian citizens to join the 61 countries that already benefit from visa-free entry into the Schengen area.
The talks between the two partners are aimed more generally at “opening the door for closer relationships” in trade, education and research, Mr Brunner told a press conference. While he pointed out that the liberalisation process is “not automatic”, he acknowledged that “tangible” and “steady“ progress had been made since the talks began in 2024, thanks to reforms underway in the country. A progress report will be presented at the first formal EU-Armenia summit, scheduled for 5 May in Yerevan.
Armenian Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan also welcomed the dialogue, which she said was “an important political signal“ reflecting the “depth” of cooperation between the two parties. She also announced that Armenia would begin issuing biometric passports to its citizens this year.
In addition to mobility, this rapprochement is accompanied by a €270 million European resilience plan to support reforms in Armenia and strengthen its border management, with the help of Frontex and Europol. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)