Armenia and EU to begin visa liberalization talks
European Commission Vice President and EU Commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas in Armenia. (via X)
Armenia and EU have taken a significant step toward strengthening their bilateral relationship by initiating discussions on visa liberalization. European Commission Vice President and EU Commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas visited Yerevan to kickstart the talks.
Margaritis Schinas made a statement on X about the issue by saying, “A big day. Happy to launch the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue with Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan. A clear sign of our commitment to enhancing mobility and cooperation with Armenia. Bringing people closer together, recognizing Armenia’s efforts in strengthening ties with the EU.”
Armenia-EU relations progress
During the meeting with Schinas, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed optimism that the talks would advance the cooperation agenda between Armenia and the EU. According to the Armenian government’s press service, Pashinian emphasized that the discussions mark significant progress in relations between the two parties.
“I am glad of the changes registered in our relations: talks over visa liberalization are beginning, a decision has been made to help Armenia in the framework of the European Peace Facility, which we highly appreciate,” Pashinian said.
Schinas said, “The EU stands shoulder to shoulder with Armenia.”
Broadening Armenia-EU agenda
Pashinian noted that Armenia is broadening its agenda with the EU, highlighting discussions on the country’s potential EU membership, a topic that has gained attention since his speech at the European Parliament last year.
“This is not an easy matter, but it has become part of Armenia’s political agenda, which is why this topic should be approached thoroughly and comprehensively. It will be important to hear observations and advice on this from our EU partners,” Pashinian added.
He also praised the work of the European civilian mission in Armenia, citing its role in contributing to regional peace and stability.
EU support for Armenia
Schinas reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to developing its relationship with Armenia and supporting the country’s reforms. He expressed hope that the visa liberalization dialogue with the Armenian government would be productive.
EU’s visa liberalization dialogue with Türkiye
The visa liberalization dialogue launched between Türkiye and the EU aims to lift the Schengen visa requirement for Turkish citizens during their short stays in the Schengen Area.
The dialogue, which was launched on Dec. 16, 2013, in parallel with the signature of the Türkiye-EU Readmission Agreement, based on the “Roadmap towards a visa free regime with Türkiye”, a document setting out the requirements that need to be met. The 72 requirements listed in the roadmap are organized into five thematic groups or blocks:
- Document security
- Migration management
- Public order and security
- Fundamental rights
- Readmission of irregular migrants
The roadmap mainly covers the rules and requirements related to the implementation of visa liberalization and the Türkiye-EU Readmission Agreement such as the security of travel documents, migration management, public order and security and fundamental rights.
In this context, the following subjects are included in the roadmap:
- Document security: Issuing biometric passports in compliance with EU standards, ensuring the security of passports, identity cards and other similar documents.
- Migration management: Ensuring adequate border check and surveillance, and efficient implementation related to international protection and foreigners in line with the EU acquis.
- Public order and security: Fighting against organized crime, terrorism and corruption and preventing these crimes, aligning with the EU acquis on financing terrorism, human trafficking and cybercrime, providing effective judicial cooperation in criminal matters and data protection.
- Fundamental rights: Protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, anti-discrimination, access to travel and identity documents, and access of refugees and stateless persons to identity documents.
- Readmission of irregular migrants: This covers the requirements for readmission
The requirements covered under the roadmap also overlap with the areas of Chapter 23 and Chapter 24 which entail migration and border management, judicial and cooperation, fight against drugs. In this context, the dialogue is important not only for providing visa-free travel to Turkish citizens but also for Türkiye’s accession process to the EU.
‘Türkiye has met 65 of the 72 benchmarks of roadmap’
European Commission has confirmed that Türkiye has met 65 of the 72 benchmarks of the Roadmap. As a result of the efforts, the number of benchmarks that Türkiye is supposed to fulfill dropped to six after the commission had confirmed the fulfillment of benchmarks on second-generation passports as of Dec. 8, 2018.
In addition to this, negotiations are ongoing to conclude the agreement between Türkiye and the EU on the exchange of personal data between Europol and Turkish authorities in the fight against serious crimes and terrorism.
The progress on biometric passports and cooperation with Europol is also highlighted in the commission’s 2019 Report on Türkiye. The report confirmed Turkish biometric passports’ compatibility with EU standards.
When the dialogue is finalized, an amendment would be made to regulation No 2018/1806 which would allow Turkish citizens to travel for short stays in the Schengen area without a visa.
