Armenia makes headway on EU visa liberalization plan

Armenia has received its first assessment of progress under the European Union’s Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, with Yerevan’s efforts receiving a positive evaluation, Armenian officials said.

Acting Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan said the assessment was presented as part of the ongoing visa liberalization dialogue with the EU, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“We are at the stage of active work within the visa liberalization dialogue. In the report we received, the steps taken by Armenia were assessed positively. We were presented with 53 recommendations, which are essentially our further homework. To implement them, we have developed 113 measures, more than half of which have already been completed,” Ghazaryan said at a press conference reviewing the first half of 2026.

He said Armenia expects more tangible progress by the end of the year and expressed hope that the country would be able to complete the first stage of the action plan within that timeframe.

Ghazaryan clarified that the latest assessment and recommendations relate specifically to the first stage of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. At this stage, Armenia’s efforts are focused primarily on developing the necessary legislation and establishing the relevant policy framework.

The EU-Armenia dialogue on visa liberalization began in September 2024. In 2026, the European Commission provided Yerevan with the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, setting out the requirements Armenia must meet as it moves toward potential visa-free travel to the EU.

The plan contains 74 benchmarks organized into four key areas: the security of biometric documents; border management and migration; public order and the fight against crime; and the protection of fundamental rights.

Armenia’s progress under the plan will be assessed through successive stages, with further reforms expected as the country advances toward meeting the EU’s visa liberalization criteria.

By Vafa Guliyeva