Andrea Wiktorin: EU hopes to start dialogue with Armenia on visa  liberalization

ArmInfo. The European Union hopes to start a dialogue with Armenia on the liberalization of the visa regime. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin  stated at a press conference in Yerevan on May 10, dedicated to the  30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between  Armenia and the European Union, answering to the question of ArmInfo.

The Ambassador noted that this issue was discussed between Armenia  and the EU last week, this topic was also on the agenda of the  commission. At the same time, the diplomat reminded that in order to  start the dialogue, it is necessary that all 27 EU member states give  their consent.

"Of course, our position is positive. But, all EU member states  should participate in this process, and we hope that we will start  this process. I believe that we will continue this process on behalf  of the EU institutions. The Armenian Foreign Ministry is very active,  the EU countries have some concerns, but in any case, everything is  going in the right direction," the diplomat summed up.

It should be noted that an agreement on visa facilitation on December  17, 2012, as well, an Agreement on readmission in April 2013 were  signed between Armenia and the EU. Both documents entered into force  on January 1, 2014. The visa facilitation agreement has accelerated  the procedure for issuing visas at the consulates of the EU countries  located in Yerevan. The price of a visa after the signing of the  agreement was reduced to thirty-five euros against sixty euros, which  were paid by tourists before the ratification of the agreement. The  process of granting multiple visas, which was previously complicated  and lengthy, has also been facilitated. And citizens of Armenia with  diplomatic passports are completely exempted from the need to obtain  a visa. The simplification of the scheme for issuing visas also  affected the terms of stay of Armenian citizens in the territory of  the EU countries. Now this period is ninety days for every one  hundred and eighty days.

We also note that the Armenian authorities have repeatedly declared  their readiness to move to the second stage of cooperation and start  a dialogue with the EU on the complete liberalization of the visa  regime. In the meantime, the EU stated that they have some concerns  about the implementation by Armenia of its agreements on the issue of  readmission.