Tweet
EU COMMISSIONER CECILIA MALMSTROM WELCOMES THE SIGNING OF THE EU-ARMENIA READMISSION AGREEMENT
European Union News
April 22, 2013 Monday
Brussels
European Commission has issued the following press release:
Today, the European Union and Armenia signed an agreement on
the readmission of persons residing without authorisation. A visa
facilitation agreement with Armenia, opening the way for easier travel
and people-to-people contact across Europe, was already signed on 17
December 2012.
"The signature of a readmission agreement is a concrete step forward
in EU-Armenia relations." said Cecilia Malmstrom, Commissioner for
Home Affairs. "The visa facilitation and readmission agreements are
very tangible results of the Eastern Partnership and will promote
interaction between citizens of the EU and Armenia and strengthen
our cooperation in the fight against irregular immigration. I am very
pleased that both agreements have now been signed - this means that
Armenians will be able to travel more easily while facilitating the
effective management of irregular migration".
Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements with Armenia
In September 2011, 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 (IP/11/1053).
The visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Armenia was signed
on 17 December 2012. It makes it easier and cheaper for citizens of
Armenia, in particular those who travel most, to acquire short-stay
visas allowing them to travel throughout the EU. A short-stay visa
is a visa for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of
180 days.
The readmission agreement sets out clear obligations and procedures
for the authorities of both Armenia and the respective EU Member State
as to when and how to take back people who are irregularly residing on
their territories. These obligations cover nationals from Armenia, the
EU Member States and those from third countries and stateless people,
provided the latter have a clear link with the requested party (e.g.
visa or resident permit). A special accelerated procedure will apply
to persons apprehended in common border regions who can be returned
more quickly. The agreement contains the necessary safeguards with
regard to data protection and the protection of fundamental human
rights. Full respect of Human Rights as provided by the European
Convention of Human Rights will be guaranteed during the application
of the readmission agreement.
The European Parliament now needs to give its consent before both
Agreements can be concluded.
The visa facilitation and the readmission agreements will enter into
force simultaneously, which will be on the first day of the second
month following the date on which the two parties notify each other
that the internal procedures have bee
The UK and Ireland do not participate in the Visa facilitation
Agreement; Denmark and the Schengen associated Countries (Switzerland,
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) are invited to conclude bilateral
Visa facilitation Agreements in similar terms as the EU-Armenia Visa
Facilitation Agreement.
The UK, Ireland and Denmark do not participate in the readmission
agreement.
So far, the EU has signed visa facilitation and readmission agreements
with ten countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Russia,
Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia. Yesterday, on 18 April, the EU signed a
readmission agreement with Cape Verde, which is also coupled with an
agreement on visa facilitation.
Negotiations are furthermore ongoing with Azerbaijan, and negotiating
mandates are in place for Belarus.
European Union News
April 22, 2013 Monday
Brussels
European Commission has issued the following press release:
Today, the European Union and Armenia signed an agreement on
the readmission of persons residing without authorisation. A visa
facilitation agreement with Armenia, opening the way for easier travel
and people-to-people contact across Europe, was already signed on 17
December 2012.
"The signature of a readmission agreement is a concrete step forward
in EU-Armenia relations." said Cecilia Malmstrom, Commissioner for
Home Affairs. "The visa facilitation and readmission agreements are
very tangible results of the Eastern Partnership and will promote
interaction between citizens of the EU and Armenia and strengthen
our cooperation in the fight against irregular immigration. I am very
pleased that both agreements have now been signed - this means that
Armenians will be able to travel more easily while facilitating the
effective management of irregular migration".
Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements with Armenia
In September 2011, 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 (IP/11/1053).
The visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Armenia was signed
on 17 December 2012. It makes it easier and cheaper for citizens of
Armenia, in particular those who travel most, to acquire short-stay
visas allowing them to travel throughout the EU. A short-stay visa
is a visa for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of
180 days.
The readmission agreement sets out clear obligations and procedures
for the authorities of both Armenia and the respective EU Member State
as to when and how to take back people who are irregularly residing on
their territories. These obligations cover nationals from Armenia, the
EU Member States and those from third countries and stateless people,
provided the latter have a clear link with the requested party (e.g.
visa or resident permit). A special accelerated procedure will apply
to persons apprehended in common border regions who can be returned
more quickly. The agreement contains the necessary safeguards with
regard to data protection and the protection of fundamental human
rights. Full respect of Human Rights as provided by the European
Convention of Human Rights will be guaranteed during the application
of the readmission agreement.
The European Parliament now needs to give its consent before both
Agreements can be concluded.
The visa facilitation and the readmission agreements will enter into
force simultaneously, which will be on the first day of the second
month following the date on which the two parties notify each other
that the internal procedures have bee
The UK and Ireland do not participate in the Visa facilitation
Agreement; Denmark and the Schengen associated Countries (Switzerland,
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) are invited to conclude bilateral
Visa facilitation Agreements in similar terms as the EU-Armenia Visa
Facilitation Agreement.
The UK, Ireland and Denmark do not participate in the readmission
agreement.
So far, the EU has signed visa facilitation and readmission agreements
with ten countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Russia,
Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia. Yesterday, on 18 April, the EU signed a
readmission agreement with Cape Verde, which is also coupled with an
agreement on visa facilitation.
Negotiations are furthermore ongoing with Azerbaijan, and negotiating
mandates are in place for Belarus.