Visa-free travel to the European Union for citizens of Armenia is a realistic prospect in the coming years if the current pace of reforms is maintained, said European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, according to Armenpress.
He emphasized that visa liberalization is an important component of Armenia–EU partnership and would facilitate travel for work, study and tourism while strengthening cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
“Last November we handed over the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, and since then steady progress has been recorded, especially in the areas of document security and migration management.
The introduction of biometric identity documents is an important step, and as I understand it, it will be launched soon. Reforms are also continuing in the areas of asylum policy and the fight against organized crime and corruption, with support from EU partners and agencies such as Europol and Frontex,” Brunner said.
He stressed that visa liberalization is a criteria-based process, and all requirements listed in the action plan must be fully implemented before a final decision is made.
The first progress report is expected to be presented at the Armenia–EU summit scheduled for May 2026.
“If this pace of reforms continues, visa-free travel in the coming years is a realistic perspective. It will create new opportunities for Armenian citizens in education, business, tourism and cultural exchanges, and will further strengthen ties between Armenia and the European Union,” Brunner said.
The EU commissioner arrived in Armenia on March 12.
During the visit, he held meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan, and also participated in a discussion titled “The Road to Visa Liberalisation: Strengthening EU–Armenia Cooperation in Implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.”
