Armenia is willing to start a visa liberalisation dialogue with the EU, and the latter has expressed its preparedness to explore further possibilities to facilitate this dialogue and reach an agreement on the matter.
The EU-Armenia Partnership Council met in Brussels this week. During the meeting, the EU and Armenia confirmed their commitment to deepening the relations and working on the possibility of permitting visa-free travel for Armenians, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to the Council of the EU, the Partnership Council said that Armenia is ready to begin talks on visa liberalisation.
The same stressed that the EU is also committed to making additional efforts, suggesting that the authority is open to exploring options for starting the visa liberalisation dialogue with Armenia.
In addition expressing its readiness to make additional efforts on the matter, the EU also welcomed the implementation of the Visa Facilitation agreement and of the readmission agreements by the country.
The EU also encouraged Armenia to maintain and intensify its efforts in this regard.
Under the Visa Facilitation agreement, the issuance of Schengen visas for short stays is facilitated for citizens of Armenia.
Different from nationals of other third countries who need to pay a €80 visa fee, Armenians need to pay only a €35 fee for their Schengen visa application.
Moreover, in line with the Visa Facilitation agreement, Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a validity of up to five years to some Armenians.
While Armenians still have to undergo the same visa application procedure as all those who need a visa to enter the Schengen Area, the Visa Facilitation agreement has significantly cut the expenses for them.
Earlier in September 202, it was revealed that citizens of Armenia are saving around €2.2 million each year since the visa fee cost was cut. As for the 2014-2023 period, Armenians saved more than €18 million with reduced visa fees.
Armenians file a high number of applications each year, and the reduction in the visa fee has had a positive impact not only on them but also on Schengen countries as more Armenians are choosing European destinations.
The number of Armenians reaching the Schengen Member States is expected to increase even more once a visa liberalisation agreement is reached.