On 5 November, the European Commission presented and handed over the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) to Armenian authorities in Yerevan.
The launch of the Action Plan marks a significant step towards achieving full visa liberalisation between the EU and Armenia. The Action Plan outlines all the technical and policy requirements that Armenia needs to fulfil before a visa-free regime for its citizens can be introduced.
The Action Plan will drive reforms in key areas, such as travel document security, border and migration management, public order, external relations and fundamental rights issues in Armenia. The European Commission will regularly assess Armenia’s progress to verify the consistent and effective implementation of the benchmarks established in the Action Plan, including through regular reports.
Background
The EU-Armenia Visa Liberalisation Dialogue was launched in September 2024.
Today’s Action Plan sets out the reforms and benchmarks guiding Armenia’s progress towards meeting the conditions for visa-free travel. Once Armenia will have fulfilled all benchmarks listed in the Action Plan, the visa liberalisation dialogue will be considered successfully completed, making it easier and less costly for Armenian citizens to travel to Europe for short-term stays (less than 90 days in any 180-day period).
Armenian citizens already enjoy the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the EU since 1 January 2014.
