European Union ready for liberalization of visa regime with Armenia
27.03.2018,
15:53
The EU is ready for liberalization of the visa regime with Armenia, but the question is when it could be achieved, Luxembourgish Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn said today in Yerevan.
YEREVAN, March 27. /ARKA/. The EU is ready for liberalization of the visa regime with Armenia, but the question is when it could be achieved, Luxembourgish Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn said today in Yerevan. Speaking at joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian he said such issues are not solved in one day.
“I think that the EU will achieve liberalization of the visa regime with Armenia, although I can not say when it may happen, as much depends on the European Commission, which should find acceptable solutions for every country," he said. He said Armenia is making much effort to become a law-governed state.
“I think that you are moving in the right direction and if this direction continues, then the day will come when the visa regime with the EU will be liberalized for Armenia," Asselborn said.
The Luxembourgish minister stressed that his country is positive about people who want to visit the EU, but expressed concern that many Armenian citizens who visit the EU as tourists apply for asylum. In this context, he stressed the importance of signing a law on readmission.
Asselborn praised the Armenian government for organizing a Francophonie summit in Yerevan in autumn.
"French is one of the official languages of Luxembourg. There are three official languages in our country - Luxembourgish, French and German, but Luxembourgish is spoken only by local people and since about 47% of Luxembourg residents are visitors, they do not speak it. We wake up as Luxembourgers, read newspapers in German and go to work where we speak French or English. We are flexible enough when it comes to languages," he said.
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed on November 24, 2017 by Armenia with the European Union, as well as with the European Atomic Community will enter into force once it is ratified by all EU-member countries. So far only Estonia has ratified it. On March 22, the Armenian government sent the agreement for ratification to the National Assembly. -0-
“I think that the EU will achieve liberalization of the visa regime with Armenia, although I can not say when it may happen, as much depends on the European Commission, which should find acceptable solutions for every country," he said. He said Armenia is making much effort to become a law-governed state.
“I think that you are moving in the right direction and if this direction continues, then the day will come when the visa regime with the EU will be liberalized for Armenia," Asselborn said.
The Luxembourgish minister stressed that his country is positive about people who want to visit the EU, but expressed concern that many Armenian citizens who visit the EU as tourists apply for asylum. In this context, he stressed the importance of signing a law on readmission.
Asselborn praised the Armenian government for organizing a Francophonie summit in Yerevan in autumn.
"French is one of the official languages of Luxembourg. There are three official languages in our country - Luxembourgish, French and German, but Luxembourgish is spoken only by local people and since about 47% of Luxembourg residents are visitors, they do not speak it. We wake up as Luxembourgers, read newspapers in German and go to work where we speak French or English. We are flexible enough when it comes to languages," he said.
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed on November 24, 2017 by Armenia with the European Union, as well as with the European Atomic Community will enter into force once it is ratified by all EU-member countries. So far only Estonia has ratified it. On March 22, the Armenian government sent the agreement for ratification to the National Assembly. -0-
