Talks on visa facilitation will be launched with the European Union starting the beginning of next year, said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan in an interview with Public TV on the results of this year,  adding that it will create favorable conditions not only for human communication, but also in terms of business ties.

“I think we will carry out these negotiations as soon as possible, and the next step involves the abolition of the visa regime. Of course, this is not a question of the near future, but it is our aim in the future,” said Nalbandyan.

According to him, since the beginning of negotiations around the Association Agreement in the format of the Eastern Partnership from July to this day, three stages of negotiations, and seven meetings of working groups have been held, which resulted in significant progress. "We began the negotiations in 14 directions, and today, within five-six months, negotiations in 9 directions, have already completed. This suggests that the negotiations are progressing effectively and indicates our very close positions with the EU on many issues,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, adding that the signing of the Association Agreement will increase and put on a new legal basis of relations between Armenia and the EU.

According to Nalbandyan, a creation of a rigorous and comprehensive trade zone is being discussed in this framework and negotiations are likely to take place in the near future.

Nablandyan also touched on bilateral relations with Armenia’s key partners in the European Union - France and Germany. He noted the Armenian President visited France and Germany on official visits, and reached important agreements with President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel during his meeting.