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The Commission Proposes To Open Negotiations On Visa Facilitation An

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  • The Commission Proposes To Open Negotiations On Visa Facilitation An

    ARMENIA : THE COMMISSION PROPOSES TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS ON VISA FACILITATION AND READMISSION AGREEMENTS WITH ARMENIA

    TendersInfo
    September 21, 2011 Wednesday

    Today the Commission proposed to open negotiations on agreements to
    facilitate the procedures for issuing short-stay visas as well as
    on the readmission of irregular migrants between the European Union
    and Armenia.

    "Easier access to visas will improve cooperation and exchanges between
    the EU and Armenia. Visa facilitation and readmission agreements are
    very tangible results of the Eastern partnership and I know how much
    this means to the citizens of these countries", said Cecilia Malmstrom,
    EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

    The human dimension of the Eastern Partnership is one of its most
    important ones. Fostering mobility and people-to-people contacts
    through visa facilitation is fundamental in order to promote social
    and economic development and mutual understanding between the people.

    The proposals to open negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission
    agreements with Armenia are an important step in this direction." said
    Stefan Fule Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy.

    The Commission proposes to open negotiations on a visa facilitation
    agreement between the EU and Armenia. The agreements will be based on
    reciprocity and provide visa facilitations for Armenian citizens. The
    list of suggested visa facilitations include the simplification
    of documentary evidence to be submitted in support of the visa
    application, the possibility of issuing multiple-entry visas with a
    long period of validity, the waiving/reducing of the handling fees
    for specific categories of travellers, set deadlines for processing
    visa applications, as well as a possible exemption from the visa
    obligation for holders of diplomatic passports.

    At the same time, the Commission proposes to combine the easing of visa
    requirements for travellers from Armenia with agreed mechanisms for
    the readmission of irregular migrants. The negotiation of readmission
    agreements will provide for the speedy return of nationals staying
    without authorisation on the territory of the EU or Armenia.

    Background

    The visa facilitation and readmission negotiations with Armenia follow
    the political commitment taken at the Prague Eastern Partnership
    Summit in May 2009 regarding the improvement of people to people
    contacts. This approach was reaffirmed more recently by the Eastern
    Partnership Foreign Ministers' conclusions in December 2010. Once
    negotiated, the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission can
    only enter into force simultaneously.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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