EU to start visa liberalization talks with Armenia
- 22 July, 07:46
The European Union has green-lighted visa liberalization talks with Armenia. European Union ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations approved the relevant proposal by the European Commission.
The proposal now heads to the European Council for formal approval, and then on to the commission, which will announce details on when it will start the negotiations and the action plan it is putting forward. Armenia will have to meet commonly agreed benchmarks to qualify for visa liberalization. After completion of negotiations, Armenian citizens would be able to travel visa-free to EU countries and the Schengen Zone for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period.
Yereven welcomed the EU decision to start visa liberalization talks, with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan calling it "a very important milestone in the deepening partnership between Armenia and the EU, based on shared values and principles."
Talks about visa-free travel for Armenian citizens, as well as the earlier agreed first-ever Assistance Measure under the European Peace Facility for Armenia for around 10 million euros, “were long-awaited in Armenia,” EU High Representative Josep Borrell said in a press conference on July 22. “I am very happy that this could be finally agreed before the summer break - because you know how the situation is tense in the Caucasus, and this will strengthen our partnership with Armenia,” Borrell stated.
