Visa liberalization dialogue is highly important step towards European integration, says expert

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. The EU Council decision on starting a visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia is a highly important step on the path towards European integration, according to political scientist Hayk Sukiasyan.

Speaking to Armenpress, Sukiasyan said the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) presence greatly contributed to the process.

“The presence of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia has greatly contributed to this process. The observers are not only monitoring various parts of our state border, but they are also making observations related to the internal life of Armenia, touching upon democratization processes. I believe that a positive opinion about our country is being developed in the EU also based on their reports. The observers have contributed to the EU Council’s decision to start a dialogue with us on visa liberalization. I don’t know when this will become reality, but the fact that rapid integration trends exist is undeniable,” Sukiasyan said.

Visa liberalization with the EU will enable Armenian citizens to travel freely, visit EU countries swiftly and interact with European culture.

“Although we have been brought up in post-Soviet realities, we must be closer to the European culture. If we continue the democratization process more rapidly, I am sure that steps aimed at closer integration would follow. And the current steps signal the beginning of a bigger process,” the analyst said.

Full interview available in Armenian version.