The European Union (EU) will soon present a visa liberalization action plan for Armenia on June 24. EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, confirmed the development during a recent update.
EU & Armenia Visa Dialogue
In July 2024, the Commission of the European Union announced the official start of visa liberalization talks with Armenia. Specifically, this dialogue followed years of increasing political and economic cooperation.
Notably, the 2017 Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) laid the foundation for the move. Correspondingly, the agreement establishes a framework for Armenia and the EU to collaborate on matters such as democracy and job generation.
Since then, Armenia has intensified reforms to align its legal and institutional frameworks with EU standards. In April 2025, the Armenian Parliament passed a new law to formally initiate the EU accession process. Consequently, expectations for deeper mobility cooperation have grown rapidly.
What to Expect on June 24
On June 24, an EU expert delegation will visit Yerevan to discuss the draft action plan in detail with Armenian officials. According to sources, the plan includes specific benchmarks covering border control, anti-corruption measures, and migration policy reforms.
Additionally, the delegation will evaluate Armenia’s administrative readiness and legislative progress. Specifically, Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan confirmed that Armenia is committed to meeting all technical and political requirements.
A Regional Precedent
In 2014, the EU granted visa-free regimes for EU nationals visiting Moldova. Meanwhile, it also introduced similar regimes for Ukraine and Georgia in 2017.
However, authorities expect a more rigid structure for Armenia’s path. Due to recent concerns, the EU has tightened the visa suspension mechanism and adjusted its evaluation standards.
Even so, officials suggest Armenia has a real opportunity to follow its neighbors. With continuous progress, visa-free travel to the Schengen Area could be achievable within four to five years.
Clear Path for Armenia
Although the EU’s plan will be presented soon, full implementation will still depend on the meeting-agreed benchmarks. Moreover, the European Council and Parliament must endorse the plan. Overall, this process finds its basis on merits, with no fixed timeline.
Despite this, authorities expect the June 24 meeting to be a critical step forward. According to EU sources, the action plan will be finalized and sent to Armenian authorities shortly after the delegation’s visit.
Public Sentiment and Expert Views
Public support for EU integration in Armenia has surged in recent years. In fact, a growing number of citizens express interest in visa-free travel to Europe. Experts believe that the EU’s responsiveness will play a key role in reinforcing Armenia’s westward path.
Meanwhile, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas has emphasized the EU’s commitment.
“The launch of the dialogue on visa liberalisation – at the political level with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan – is a strong signal by the EU and its Member States of their determination to deepen the already solid partnership between the EU and Armenia,” he remarked.
A Turning Point for Armenia
Overall, the EU’s upcoming visit to Yerevan reflects growing trust and shared goals. Though challenges remain, both sides appear determined. If Armenia stays on course, visa-free travel could soon become a tangible reality.
Photo by Gevorg Avetisyan on Unsplash
