Armenia Is committed and determined to fully implement the Armenia-EU visa liberalisation action plan. Minister of Internal Affairs

On September 28, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan met with members of the delegation of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Working Party of the Council of the European Union.

The meeting was attended by Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, ambassadors of EU member states, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the diplomatic community.

Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan thanked the delegation members for their continued efforts to advance Armenia-EU cooperation. The minister noted that the close and constructive cooperation established with the European Union, as well as the shared agenda, provide an opportunity to deliver tangible results.

Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, thanked Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan for her leadership in the visa liberalisation process, as well as for the reforms being implemented within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police.

As the Armenian side’s chief negotiator in the visa liberalisation process, Minister Arpine Sargsyan stressed the importance of the successful progress of the process, describing it as one of the Government’s priority areas.

Minister Sargsyan emphasised Armenia’s commitment and determination to fully implement the Armenia-EU Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. Speaking about the timeline for implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, the minister noted that the Armenian side has set 2029 as the target deadline.

According to her assessment, proper implementation of the Action Plan will ensure tangible results in strengthening democratic institutions and establishing a visa-free regime.

Addressing the priorities of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, Minister Sargsyan also highlighted migration management as a key area. According to her, one of the most important steps in this field is the introduction of a new biometric system through a public-private partnership model, with its launch scheduled for November 1.

Speaking about integrated border management, the minister stressed that Armenia is committed to introducing an integrated system with the aim of transitioning to a new model focused on ensuring security. A strategy for integrated border management is also being developed and is expected to be submitted to the Government for approval by the end of the year.

The Minister of Internal Affairs also answered questions from members of the delegation.