Armenia accuses Russian media of distorting EU visa liberalisation statements

Armenia’s Public Television has accused Russian state media of distorting statements by European officials about the visa liberalisation process between Armenia and the EU.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously said Armenia aimed to achieve visa liberalisation with the EU by 2029, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

However, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti presented comments by European Commission representative Paula Pinho as indicating that visa-free travel with Armenia had not been confirmed.

Armenian expert Hovsep Khurshudyan said Pinho had not rejected the process, but had noted that 2029 could not yet be considered a final deadline. He said visa-free travel could be introduced earlier, potentially in 2028, if Armenia met the necessary technical requirements.

Khurshudyan accused Russian media of seeking to discredit Armenia’s European integration. He also rejected reports that the EU had demanded that Armenia restrict the entry of Russian citizens.

Pashinyan had previously dismissed such plans, saying: “We have absolutely no intention of doing anything like that.”

Khurshudyan said the reports were aimed at undermining trust in Armenia among Russian citizens and discrediting the idea of moving to the country.