Relaxation of visa regime for member states involved in EU Eastern Partnership program, including Armenia is one of the core issues on agenda that should be implemented, Swedish Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Gunnar Aden said at December 11 briefing.

According to him, relaxation of visa regime in the frames of program was Sweden’s initiative in the course of its EU Presidency. Thus, he recalled that visa regime with Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia was recently lifted.

“As to Armenia, I can guarantee that regime will be relaxed and lifted some day,” said Aden. However, he stated that procedure on visa regime is the last among the EU priority list for Eastern partnership program.

One of the paramount objectives of the program is development of democracy and cooperation expansion in member states. They are of strategic importance to EU and will be fulfilled regardless Sweden’s presidency.

In addition, Aden underlined that geopolitical location of Armenia is not that favorable, “as Armenia’s neighboring countries do not share European values.”

Swedish Ambassador informed that Eastern Partnership will assist both Armenia and other member states to dispose of “post-Soviet heritage.”

A.G.