The head of the EU mission called on the Armenian authorities to accelerate efforts to liberalize the visa regime with the EU.

ArmInfo. "When it comes to opening borders, we fully support normalization and peace in the region," said Ambassador Vasilis Maragos, Head of the EU Mission to Armenia, during the Comprehensive Security & Resilience International Conference.

He noted with satisfaction that Armenia, including its civil society, has chosen peace, which is reflected not only in the parliamentary election results but is a much broader phenomenon.

At the same time, Maragos noted the progress in normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations over the past three years. He also noted that he would like to see more results in this direction. The Ambassador recalled that several weeks ago, a visit to Armenia for Turkish entrepreneurs from eastern Turkey was organized within the framework of a European Union program. "I was very impressed by the positive attitude on both sides and how these contacts can develop. Such engagement shows that there is public interest in normalization, and people understand that there are other possibilities. Therefore, I think the work must continue on both sides," the Head of the EU Mission to Armenia emphasized.

The Ambassador also touched upon investments being made in the Syunik region, where the current EU portfolio amounts to approximately €250 million. These projects span a wide range of areas: small business, infrastructure, local development, human capital, and more. Noting that the EU is conducting concrete activities in Syunik, he announced an upcoming Team Europe visit to the region, consisting of ambassadors and other experts, and announced plans to build a new COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) center and several facilities in Kapan, including TUMO. "That is, investments are ongoing," Maragos emphasized.

The Ambassador also noted that Armenia is the only country with which a dialogue on visa liberalization is ongoing. "Therefore, I appeal to all decision-makers—in parliament and in the government—to seize this moment and expedite the preparation of the various necessary documents so that we can achieve the results Armenian citizens expect. This is a real opportunity." "It is also essential in our bilateral relations, because we would truly like to have more people-to-people contacts and ensure that all opportunities in the economic, educational, and other areas are utilized," he said, noting the concrete commitment on both sides to addressing these issues.

As a reminder, the visa liberalization dialogue between Armenia and the EU officially launched in September 2024 and entered its active phase. In May 2026, Yerevan received a positive progress report from the EU confirming the fulfillment of key requirements of the Action Plan (VLAP), aimed at granting Armenian citizens 90-day visa-free entry to the Schengen area. Armenia expects a final solution that will eliminate the need for visas for short-term trips to the EU.