Important Progress in Armenia's Visa Liberalization Initiative
In a notable step forward for Armenia’s visa liberalization process, an EU Expert Mission arrived in Armenia on February 12, 2025, with the objective of developing the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. This mission, which will remain in the country until February 14, is conducting a comprehensive gap analysis to assess Armenia’s readiness for visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
Should an agreement be finalized and come into effect, Armenian passport holders would gain the ability to enter the Schengen Area without the need for a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
Armenia has assured EU officials that significant progress has been made in various areas, particularly in migration management. This is seen as a crucial factor in the ongoing dialogue between Armenia and the EU regarding visa liberalization.
The expert mission includes representatives from various EU member states, Frontex, and other relevant EU directorates. During their stay in Armenia, the mission will focus on the evaluation of the current state of Armenia’s border and migration management systems, document security, and other key areas relevant to the visa liberalization process.
The primary purpose of the gap analysis is to assess whether Armenia meets the EU’s established criteria for visa-free access. The findings from this evaluation will play a pivotal role in shaping the action plan for future negotiations. In turn, this will help the EU establish the conditions that Armenia must fulfill to achieve visa-free travel for its citizens to the Schengen Area.
Armenia has already reassured the EU that the proposed visa liberalization agreement will not lead to an increase in irregular migration. In September 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country has implemented necessary measures to prevent any potential rise in irregular migration to the EU once visa-free travel is granted.
Poland and France have expressed their support for Armenia’s visa liberalization path, marking an important development in the country’s pursuit of greater integration with the European Union.
Authors: George Kosasvili
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