The European Union will provide €2.2 million to Armenia to support the country’s visa liberalization process, Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announced.
According to the ministry, the funding will be directed toward border management, document security, and law enforcement reforms.
On June 1, officials launched the program titled “Support to the Visa Liberalization Dialogue in Armenia in the Areas of Border Management, Document Security, and Law Enforcement Reforms.”
Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan described the initiative as the first program in Armenia specifically designed to support the visa liberalization process. She said it represents an important step toward deepening Armenia-EU cooperation, expanding opportunities for Armenian citizens to travel freely and with dignity, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Sargsyan also highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation with EU member states, noting that the program is being implemented in partnership with the Republic of Lithuania.
According to the minister, under the leadership of the prime minister, Armenia aims to achieve a visa-free regime with the European Union as quickly as possible, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue its consistent efforts toward that goal.
Speeches were also delivered by Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of the Interior Gintaras Aliksandravičius, and Lithuania’s Ambassador to Armenia Andrius Pulokas.
Senior EU and Lithuanian officials praised Armenia’s progress, emphasizing that reforms coordinated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs within the visa liberalization dialogue are already producing visible and tangible results.
Project Team Leader Evelina Kudžinskaitė presented the program’s key priorities and planned activities.
The initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Republic of Lithuania in close cooperation with Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.