Eurasianet: The visa-free travel to the EU is going to be difficult for Armenia

The European Council, the EU’s main decision-making body, approved the start of visa-free negotiations with Armenia on July 22.

The process is expected to take years, but it is a great incentive for Yerevan to continue changing its geopolitical axis from Russia to the West, Eurasianet writes. As noted, the granting of a visa-free regime is a milestone for states seeking EU integration. To succeed, Yerevan must undertake comprehensive reforms, including modernizing security procedures and tightening up illegal migration rules. Given the reform commitments, a visa-free travel regime to the EU will not be available to Armenians soon.

It took neighboring Georgia, for example, five years to secure visa-free rights. For Moldova, the process lasted four years, and for Ukraine, nine years. “The path is going to be tougher for Armenia. Unlike those three states, Yerevan does not have an association agreement with the EU. Armenia-EU relations are currently ruled by a lower-level agreement known as the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, as well as the continuous presence of the Russian military base in the country, cause additional complications,” Eurasianet writes.

As noted, the announcement about the EU visa liberalization is a signal that Brussels is interested in deepening its involvement in Armenia. At the same time, the decision to provide €10-million-worth support to the Armenian Armed Forces received a negative response from Azerbaijan. As mentioned, peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan seem to have been deadlocked for now.