Today, on October 18, in Brussels RA ambassador to EU Avet Adonts and the Director-general of European Commission home affairs, Stefano Manservisi signed a preliminary deal on visa facilitation and readmission between Armenia and the European Union.
The press service of RA Foreign Ministry informed “First News and Analyses” that the agreement is to be signed in December of 2012 and will be ratified In the first half of 2013.
The Visa Facilitation agreement provides lower visa fee for all citizens, fee waivers for certain categories (e.g. family members, pensioners), a maximum processing time of 10 calendar days, simplified supporting document requirements, wider issuance of multiple-entry visas for certain categories (e.g. business people), visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports and enhanced mobility in a secured and well-managed environment. The cost of Shengen visas will be cut to €35.
The Readmission Agreement provides for reciprocal obligations on the contracting parties to readmit their national and also, under certain conditions, third country nationals and stateless persons which are in an irregular situation on the territory of the other party.
