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The Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs has released a brief overview of the EU-Armenia Visa Liberalization Action Plan, which was handed over to Armenia on November 5.
The plan includes 74 benchmarks, divided into four main directions. Below is a brief overview.
Document security, including a biometric system,
Comprehensive management of borders, migration, and asylum,
Public order and security, including combating organized crime, trafficking, drug trafficking, and corruption,
Foreign relations and fundamental rights
The evaluation will be carried out in a two-tier format:
- Formation of the legal and political framework
- Practical implementation and application
The action plan identifies the following priority areas:
Comprehensive document security ecosystem
Issuance of next-generation biometric passports,
Strengthening identity verification mechanism
2. Review of Armenian citizenship legislation
Integrated border management
Improving border checks and controls,
Strengthening data exchange and cooperation,
Implementing effective risk analysis and profiling mechanisms,
Capacity building of border personnel
Reinforcement of return and reintegration systems
Strengthening readmission and reintegration mechanisms,
Establishing effective return procedures for third-country nationals with irregular status in Armenia
Improvement of internal security systems
Adopting and implementing strategies for crime prevention and control,
Enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement agencies
Strengthening the fight against corruption
Effective implementation of anti-corruption strategies,
Expanding preventive and investigative tools
Strengthening and enforcing non-discrimination legislation by ensuring universal equality
Alignment of personal data protection systems with EU standards
Deepening information exchange and cooperation with EU bodies, including Europol and the EU’s border and coast guard agency, Frontex
Raising public awareness
Providing accurate information about the visa liberalization process, obligations, and limitations,
Preventing the spread of misinformation,
Strengthening human rights protection
Ensuring the rights of refugees and asylum seekers,
Improving protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups,
If the process is positively evaluated, Armenian citizens will gain the ability to travel to European Union countries without a visa. Under this regime, Armenian citizens holding biometric passports will be able to enter the Schengen Area for short-term visits without a visa. This will apply to Type C short-term Schengen visas, allowing up to 90 days of stay within any 180-day period.