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PASSPORT PROCESS: OFFICIAL SAYS PREVIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SOLVED
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
20.07.12 | 15:11
At Thursday's meeting of the Government, Deputy Chief of Armenia's
Police Arthur Osikyan said that problems that had slowed down the
passport application process have been eliminated, despite a dramatic
increase in the number of requests.
Typically during this time of year, the passport department has
been overwhelmed as people apply for travel documents. One newspaper
reported that the process was being artificially slowed in order to
discourage Armenians from traveling outside the country for holiday.
Police deny any such claim.
According to Osikyan, 171,000 people applied for passport issuance
in the first six months of 2011. This year, the number has reached
201,000.
"Even during non-working days and hours, working shifts have been
organized to serve people. Besides, a new batch of passports has
been received, and therefore this matter can be considered solved,"
Osikyan stated.
Osikyan also reported that, despite expectations, only 800 people have
applied for the new biometric passports. The passports are designed
to include one's essential identification information, including
fingerprints, and are intended to make foreign travel easier. The
passports have been available since June 1.
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
20.07.12 | 15:11
At Thursday's meeting of the Government, Deputy Chief of Armenia's
Police Arthur Osikyan said that problems that had slowed down the
passport application process have been eliminated, despite a dramatic
increase in the number of requests.
Typically during this time of year, the passport department has
been overwhelmed as people apply for travel documents. One newspaper
reported that the process was being artificially slowed in order to
discourage Armenians from traveling outside the country for holiday.
Police deny any such claim.
According to Osikyan, 171,000 people applied for passport issuance
in the first six months of 2011. This year, the number has reached
201,000.
"Even during non-working days and hours, working shifts have been
organized to serve people. Besides, a new batch of passports has
been received, and therefore this matter can be considered solved,"
Osikyan stated.
Osikyan also reported that, despite expectations, only 800 people have
applied for the new biometric passports. The passports are designed
to include one's essential identification information, including
fingerprints, and are intended to make foreign travel easier. The
passports have been available since June 1.