ArmInfo: Armenia and EU sign an agreement on the readmission of persons residing without authorization.

Yerevan, April 19. ArmInfo.

Today, the European Union and Armenia signed an agreement on the readmission of persons residing without authorization. A visa facilitation agreement with Armenia, opening the way for easier travel and people-to-people contact across Europe, was already signed on 17 December 2012.

"The signature of a readmission agreement is a concrete step forward in EU-Armenia relations." said Cecilia Malmstrom, Commissioner for Home Affairs. "The visa facilitation and readmission agreements are very tangible results of the Eastern Partnership and will promote interaction between citizens of the EU and Armenia and strengthen our cooperation in the fight against irregular immigration. I am very pleased that both agreements have now been signed - this means that Armenians will be able to travel more easily while facilitating the effective management of irregular migration".

In September 2011, the Commission proposed to open negotiations on agreements to facilitate the procedures for issuing short-stay visas as well as on the readmission of irregular migrants between the European Union and Armenia.

So far, the EU has signed visa facilitation and readmission agreements with ten countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia. Yesterday, on 18 April, the EU signed a readmission agreement with Cape Verde, which is also coupled with an agreement on visa facilitation. Negotiations are  furthermore ongoing with Azerbaijan, and negotiating mandates are in place for Belarus.