May 15, 2025 – Greece has reiterated its full support for Armenia’s ongoing efforts to achieve visa-free travel with the European Union, according to a statement made by Greek Ambassador to Armenia, Christos Sofianopoulos.
The ambassador’s remarks came during a recent meeting with Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Arpine Sargsyan, where both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared priorities,News reports.
A Shared Vision for Deeper Cooperation
During the high-level meeting, Minister Sargsyan highlighted the importance of enhancing relations between Armenia and Greece, particularly at the ministerial and institutional levels. She emphasized the untapped potential for collaboration and the mutual benefits of closer ties.
Ambassador Sofianopoulos responded by reaffirming the Hellenic Republic’s commitment to supporting Armenia, especially in the context of its visa liberalisation dialogue with the EU. He expressed Greece’s readiness to expand cooperation across several key areas, including:
Law enforcement
Civil protection
Migration policy
Citizenship affairs
These areas of cooperation are seen as critical to Armenia’s alignment with EU standards and its broader integration goals.
Visa Liberalisation: A Top Strategic Priority for Armenia
Visa liberalisation with the European Union remains one of Armenia’s most important foreign policy objectives. The issue was a central topic during the meeting between Minister Sargsyan and Ambassador Sofianopoulos, reflecting Armenia’s determination to secure greater mobility for its citizens within the Schengen Area.
Ambassador Sofianopoulos stated unequivocally that Greece fully supports Armenia’s pursuit of EU visa liberalisation, echoing Athens' broader backing of Armenia's European trajectory.
The Armenian side confirmed that preparations for visa liberalisation are progressing steadily. According to Armen Press, both parties also explored future steps to further consolidate bilateral relations and support Armenia’s integration with European frameworks.
Visa Liberalisation Action Plan Expected by Mid-2025
The visa liberalisation process involves meeting a range of technical and legal benchmarks established by the European Commission. Last month, Nelly Davtyan, Head of Armenia’s Migration and Citizenship Service, announced that the EU-Armenia visa liberalisation action plan is expected to be finalized by June 2025.
While no official timeline has been given for when the visa-free travel arrangement could come into force, Davtyan emphasized that key structural reforms are underway to align with EU requirements.
Biometric Passports Key to Progress
Among the most critical conditions for advancing in the EU’s visa liberalisation process is the issuance of biometric passports and national identification cards. Armenia previously issued biometric passports between 2012 and 2017 but had temporarily suspended the practice.
Authorities have now confirmed that Armenia will resume issuing biometric passports and ID cards in the first half of 2026, which is considered a major step forward in fulfilling EU-mandated technical criteria.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Partnerships to Drive EU Integration
The renewed diplomatic engagement with Greece is emblematic of Armenia’s broader efforts to deepen strategic ties with EU member states and secure key political endorsements for its visa liberalisation agenda.
As negotiations continue, Armenia’s government has reaffirmed that EU integration—symbolised in part by visa-free travel for its citizens—remains a national priority. With Greece pledging its ongoing support, Armenia is poised to make substantial progress in the coming year toward achieving this long-standing goal.
