In 2012, biometric passports will be issued in Armenia.

As Armenian Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan stated during a discussion organised by the Civilitas Foundation, a relevant governmental resolution has already been taken. The Minister characterised the issue of biometric passports as another step to intensification of Armenia-EU ties, as well as abolition of Armenia-EU visa regime, providing higher level of protection.

It was announced in February that Polish PWPW S.A. (Polish Security Printing Works) and French Oberthur have won a tender to print IDs and biometric passports for Armenia. However it is not decided yet which of these two companies will introduce the new documents in Armenia.

Biometric passports and electronic ID cards will be issued to Armenian citizens from Sept. 2011. Biometric passports will contain the citizen’s name and last name, date and place of birth, photograph and two fingerprints. Electronic ID cards will contain the same data, but with an electronic signature instead of fingerprints.