Yerevan expects EU visa-free regime ‘within two years,’ foreign minister says

By Alexander Pracht

Armenia might achieve visa-free travel to the European Union within two years, the country’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in an interview with German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Friday. 

“It’s difficult to make assumptions, but I could say that two years is quite a realistic timeline,” he said.

Mirzoyan added that Yerevan and Brussels are negotiating several new agreements, including a new partnership program with the EU that is expected to be signed within the next three months “at the longest.”

Commenting on the increasingly negative coverage of Armenia in Russian state media, particularly of the recent peace summit with Azerbaijan held without Moscow’s participation and Yerevan’s growing engagement with the EU, Mirzoyan said such narratives “deepen the misunderstanding, the gap between Armenia and Russia.” He described the attacks as “propaganda,” adding that the issue was raised with Moscow but that Russia’s response “did not satisfy Armenia.”

Mirzoyan also suggested that Russian media pressure could intensify ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections in June 2026. 

“Either normal partners respect each other’s decisions, or this partnership needs some reform, some refreshment,” he said. The minister stressed that Armenia has been working in recent years to diversify its economy and supply chains to reduce dependence on Russia.

Asked about the influence of the Armenian diaspora and whether it supports Yerevan’s pro-European course, Mirzoyan replied, “We love them. Many of them have families and relatives in the country, but with all due respect, both Armenia’s foreign and internal policy should be decided by the citizens of Armenia.” He added that diaspora Armenians are always welcome to return.

As of now, Armenian nationals are required to obtain a visa to travel to the European Union. This process involves fees, long queues, bureaucratic hurdles, and frequent rejections. The official dialogue between Armenia and the EU on visa liberalization began in September 2024. If successful, Armenian citizens will be able to travel across the EU with just their passports. Similar agreements have previously been concluded between the EU and several non-member countries, including Ukraine, Serbia, and Armenia’s neighbor Georgia.