Relations between Armenia and the European Union have entered a completely new stage in terms of strategic partnership, Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan said.

“The visa liberalization process is not only about facilitating travel from a visa perspective; it is also a very important strategic approach for us to continue and strengthen the reform agenda that the Republic of Armenia has currently adopted in terms of migration strategy, integrated border management, human rights protection and other areas,” the minister said.

Sargsyan reaffirmed the commitment of the Armenian government to fully implement each point included in the action plan within the framework of the visa liberalization dialogue.

She assured that Armenia is implementing the entire process through an institutional mechanism. A number of mechanisms have been created so that the action plan does not remain a plan of actions determined by a single person.

“For us, visa liberalization is about people. It is about empowering people and establishing a new level of cultural and social ties and people-to-people contacts. We have already made progress in various areas, both within the framework of the visa liberalization dialogue and beyond, in terms of Armenia-EU relations.”

“We note that Armenia-EU relations have moved to a completely new stage in terms of strategic partnership. I am confident that the topic of visa liberalization will also allow us to expand our partnership and achieve new results in bilateral relations, including for our citizens,” Sargsyan said.

The minister thanked EU partners for the programmatic and financial support provided.