EU, Armenia to abolish visas, Commissioner says

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia and the European Union will soon start negotiations on visa liberalization, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn said Thursday, November 17, Sputnik reports.

"Although some EU countries have already given consent to visa liberalization with Armenia, approval by all the 28 member states is nonetheless necessary," Hahn told reporters after the eighth meeting of Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers in Yerevan.

Also, he expressed hope that negotiations over a new framework agreement on cooperation between Armenia and the EU will be completed next year.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said, in turn, that negotiations have been successful so far.

"The next phase of discussions is slated for December," he said.

"After two or three more stages, I am confident we'll wrap up the talks, with Armenia ready to sign the agreement right away."