Schengen zone countries citizens can visit Armenia without a visa started January 10

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS:Citizens both from EU member 27 states and non-member states, namely (Schengen Acquis )four countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may visit Armenia without a visa started January 10. The decision was made during Armenian Government’s October 4, 2012 session, Armenpress reports. The decision stipulates facilitation of entry visa for European countries states.It is expected that the abolition of the visa regime for the citizens from those countries will have a simulative effect on the development of tourism, which in its turn will create more favorable conditions for the establishment of active contact amid the people. More favorable political and economic environment will be formed in the frame of the cooperation amid EU member states.

Visa facilitation is mainly done by reciprocity principle

Armenia and the EU signed visa facilitation agreement in Brussels on December 17. The Agreement on visa regime facilitation with EU considers the facilitation of getting entrance visa to the Schengen Area countries for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Visa regime facilitation comprises certain groups of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Particularly among them are members of official delegations, scientists, students, journalists, athletes and artists etc. Also the sides are considering reduction of the visa price to EURO 35.

The positive experience by other countries served a good example for it

The agreement makes it easier and cheaper for citizens of Armenia, in particular those who travel most, to acquire short-stay visas allowing them to travel to and freely throughout the EU. A short-stay visa is a visa for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days.