Armenia, EU sign visa facilitation deal in Brussels

December 17, 2012 - 20:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union signed a deal with Armenia on Monday, December 17 which will make it easier and cheaper for Armenians to travel to the bloc, its member states announced, according to dpa.

The deal, which requires the approval of the European Parliament, will make it more straightforward for Armenians to acquire short-term visas to the EU.

The agreement also depends upon both parties signing a so-called readmission agreement, which regulates the return of citizens residing on each other’s territory without the necessary visas or permits.

The agreement was signed in Brussels by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency.

Armenia aspires to eventually set up a free trade area with the EU as part of an association agreement launched between the two sides in 2010.