Armenia has set 2029 as the target date for completing reforms needed for visa-free travel with the EU, Public Radio of Armenia reported on September 29.
The deadline gives Yerevan a timetable for a process tied to border management, migration controls and document security, areas that affect both tourism flows and wider mobility between Armenia and the EU. Visa-free access would make travel easier for Armenian citizens and support closer links with European markets.
Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan set out the target during a meeting with a delegation from the European Union Council’s Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia on September 28. EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos, ambassadors from EU member states and Armenian Interior Ministry representatives also attended.
Sargsyan, who is Armenia’s chief negotiator in the visa liberalisation process, said completing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan was one of the government’s priorities. She said the Armenian side had set 2029 as the target deadline for completing the process.
Migration management is one of the main parts of the plan. Sargsyan said Armenia plans to launch a new biometric identification system through a public-private partnership on November 1.
The minister also said Armenia was working on integrated border management and preparing a border management strategy that is expected to be submitted to the government for approval by the end of 2026.