If pace of reforms continues, Armenia could achieve visa-free travel with EU in coming years: European Commissioner
13.03.2026,
11:55
Visa-free travel for Armenia will become a realistic prospect in the coming years if the current pace of reforms continues, stated Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration.
YEREVAN, March 13. /ARKA/. Visa-free travel for Armenia will become a realistic prospect in the coming years if the current pace of reforms continues, stated Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration.
"This will create new opportunities for Armenian citizens in education, business, tourism, and cultural exchange, and will further strengthen ties between Armenia and the European Union," Brunner noted in an interview with Armenpress.
According to him, "visa liberalization is an important component of the Armenia-EU partnership, as it brings our peoples closer together."
Brunner emphasized that it will facilitate travel for work, study, and tourism, which, in turn, will contribute to deeper cooperation and expanded people-to-people contacts.
"Visa liberalization is a criteria-based process, so all requirements outlined in the Action Plan (on visa liberalization - ed.) must be met before a final decision is made, not only in the interests of the EU, but above all in the interests of the people of Armenia," Bruner said.
On Armenia-EU Visa Liberalization
Currently, the Republic of Armenia is the only country with which the EU is pursuing visa liberalization.
Earlier, RA Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan stated that the actions to implement the Action Plan for Visa Liberalization with the EU are within the framework of Armenia's planned reforms.
The first is the introduction of a biometric system, specifically the provision of new biometric passports and ID cards. According to the schedule, their issuance will begin in the second half of 2026.
The French consortium, IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I., which won the tender, is creating the necessary infrastructure. Technology S.à.r.l.
In April 2025, an agreement was signed in Armenia with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium, which will directly implement the biometric passport and ID card system in Armenia.
"This will create new opportunities for Armenian citizens in education, business, tourism, and cultural exchange, and will further strengthen ties between Armenia and the European Union," Brunner noted in an interview with Armenpress.
According to him, "visa liberalization is an important component of the Armenia-EU partnership, as it brings our peoples closer together."
Brunner emphasized that it will facilitate travel for work, study, and tourism, which, in turn, will contribute to deeper cooperation and expanded people-to-people contacts.
"Visa liberalization is a criteria-based process, so all requirements outlined in the Action Plan (on visa liberalization - ed.) must be met before a final decision is made, not only in the interests of the EU, but above all in the interests of the people of Armenia," Bruner said.
On Armenia-EU Visa Liberalization
Currently, the Republic of Armenia is the only country with which the EU is pursuing visa liberalization.
Earlier, RA Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan stated that the actions to implement the Action Plan for Visa Liberalization with the EU are within the framework of Armenia's planned reforms.
The first is the introduction of a biometric system, specifically the provision of new biometric passports and ID cards. According to the schedule, their issuance will begin in the second half of 2026.
The French consortium, IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I., which won the tender, is creating the necessary infrastructure. Technology S.à.r.l.
In April 2025, an agreement was signed in Armenia with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium, which will directly implement the biometric passport and ID card system in Armenia.
