Armenia expects to receive a mandate the European Union to start the process of simplifying visa requirements this year.

The visa requirements are to be simplified under the Eastern Partnership program, which involves Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.

“Official Brussels promised us the EU mandate before the end of this year. This will be the first phase – for students, lecturers and businessmen,” RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinyan told RFE/Liberty Radio.

This will be followed by the second phase – the one for other Armenian citizens. Ghazinyan said that the simplification process will take five years.

She also pointed out that the term also depends on how well Armenia will fulfill its commitments under the Eastern Partnership project.