Sweden Proposes Visa-Free Entry to EU for Armenia

Bjorn Soder, a member of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), has proposed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom to initiate a process aimed at granting Armenian citizens visa-free entry to the European Union. RT has obtained the relevant proposal addressed to the minister, as reported by RT.

The media outlet notes that the question of introducing a visa-free regime for Armenia in Sweden has arisen against the backdrop of a desire to sever ties with Russia. According to Soder, for Armenia, which today is 'turning more towards the West' and 'wants to break ties with Russia', the introduction of a visa-free regime would bring 'significant advantages', bringing the country closer to the EU and Europe as a whole.

'Currently, there are great opportunities for Armenia to join Europe and for the country to be accepted into the European family it belongs to,' he added.

In this context, Soder, recalling that Sweden currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, asked Billstrom whether he would raise the issue of 'discussing the initiation of a process for granting visa-free entry from Armenia to the EU'.

Currently, there is a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in place between the EU and Armenia. This serves as the legal basis for cooperation between the parties, according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry's website.

Additionally, Yerevan is a member of the Eastern Partnership, a specific area of European Neighborhood Policy aimed at deepening relations between the EU, its member states, and six former Soviet countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (participation suspended), Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Of these countries, three – Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia – currently enjoy a visa-free regime for entering the EU. This allows citizens of those listed countries to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a six-month period.