In 2025, Armenia recorded positive migration balance for first time -  minister 

ArmInfo. In 2025, for the first time since independence, Armenia recorded a positive migration balance (migration increase), a result of established peace and the implementation of sectoral reforms. This was stated by Armenian  Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA) Arpine Sargsyan during a  high-level meeting entitled "Current Developments and Prospects of  Cooperation with the MIA," presenting the results of reforms  implemented in the ministry in 2025.

According to the press service of the MIA, the meeting was attended  by senior staff of the MIA, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia  Vasilis Maragos, Permanent Representative of the United Nations  Development Program (UNDP) Natia Natsvlishvili, Head of the Council  of Europe Office in Yerevan Maxime Longange, diplomats, and other  representatives of the MIA and international partner organizations.

According to Sargsyan, the high level of partnership is evidenced by  the fact that 70% of the 190 activities in the needs assessment  matrix developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been  completed, while the remaining 30% are ongoing.

Presenting the achieved results, the Armenian Interior Minister  emphasized that Armenia is the only country with which the EU is  currently engaged in active dialogue regarding bilateral commitments  and efforts within the visa liberalization process. According to  Sargsyan, Armenia will receive the final report assessing the  progress achieved in May, and she expressed confidence that the  outcome will be satisfactory for both sides.

Regarding the implementation of a biometric system compliant with EU  standards, the Interior Minister noted that it is in the final  stages, and by the fall of 2026, Armenian citizens will have identity  documents in line with international standards, which is also of key  importance in the context of the ongoing reforms. Speaking about the  digitalization process, the Armenian Interior Minister emphasized  that the system is actively pursuing digital transformation, and  positive results have been recorded in this area. According to  Sargsyan, the police's reforms are guided by the principle of  strengthening public trust in the system. In this regard, she noted  that the results of a study conducted by the International Republican  Institute (IRI) indicate that, compared to last year, public trust in  the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has increased  significantly, while dissatisfaction with their performance has  decreased. She also noted that, as a result of the patrol service's  work in 2024-2025, 95 lives were saved, and thanks to reforms and the  effective work of the law enforcement system, crime decreased by 3.2%  in 2025.  During the meeting, Sargsyan reaffirmed the commitment of  her ministry to continue the consistent implementation of the reform  and modernization agenda.

For his part, the EU Ambassador noted that over the past year,  relations between the European Union and Armenia have reached a  historic level of development, including through the visa  liberalization process. The work carried out by the police, rescue  services, and in the areas of migration and citizenship was also  highly praised by the UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia,  emphasizing that the progress achieved is impressive and in line with  the reform agenda, which is also the result of effective dialogue.