Ultimately, We Will Achieve Visa-Free Travel: Ararat Mirzoyan

Since our previous meeting in this format, I must emphasize that it has been a crucial period for our cooperation. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement provides a legal framework for EU-Armenia partnership, but we have developed our relations in even broader areas beyond the CEPA in new directions. This was stated by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a press conference in Brussels with the participation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.

“The development of our relations and new achievements are sometimes more than our ability to formalize it all. Throughout this process, we value the EU's support and are grateful that they have used various instruments, including those developed for candidate countries,” he noted.

The Foreign Minister addressed several aspects:

1. “To achieve concrete results for our citizens, we have initiated the visa liberalization process and see progress through the action plan, which will result in greater mobility and ultimately allow us to achieve visa-free travel.
2. Enhanced cooperation in the field of security and defense: Armenia has already received the first part of assistance within the framework of the peace instrument. This opens new horizons for cooperation. During High Representative Kallas's visit, we signed agreements and also discussed Armenia's joining the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy. Security and defense are a crucial direction for our cooperation.
3. Economy and reforms: The Resilience and Growth Program is extremely essential for reforms, cooperation in various sectors, and increasing investments in strategic areas. We are confident that our cooperation will further strengthen Armenia's resilience, especially in light of new hybrid threats.
4. Connectivity: Armenia's vision for stronger connectivity is not only in line with the EU's global gateway and the Sea of Azov strategy; we have discussed greater opportunities for unblocking regional infrastructure, as well as active efforts towards the implementation of the TRIPP program. The agreements made in Washington on August 8 have created unprecedented opportunities. Additional potential steps, including the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border and the implementation of major infrastructure projects, can significantly change the economic and political landscape of the entire region,” Mirzoyan stated.