“Even though this system has been proposed by entitled bodies of the European Union [EU], and the proposal has been confirmed by a number of international documents regulating the partnership between Armenia and EU, the Republic of Armenia was also interested in the introduction of this system, because it gives an opportunity [to citizens of Armenia] to enjoy a more alleviated visa regime while travelling to EU member countries,” Kocharyan said, adding that the new passports will decrease the possibility of committing passport fraud, as well as will simplify the identification process of a person, and the so-called, personae non gratae will be found more easily.
The negotiations over the Agreement on Visa Regime between Armenia and EU started in February, and are still in process. Under the agreement, scientists, students, journalists, businessmen, figures of sport and culture, and others, who are citizens of Armenia, can get an entry visa through a simplified procedure.
From June 1 this year, citizens of Armenia may voluntarily be enabled to get identification cards as documents certifying their identity and nationality within the territory of the republic, and those who intend to leave the country will be able to also obtain a passport with biometric data as a travel document. (The identification card contains an electronic database, individual cryptographic keys, electronic digital signature and certificates of identity. A biometric passport is a combined paper and electronic passport that contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travelers. In particular, biometric passports will contain the citizen’s name and last name, date and place of birth, photograph and two fingerprints.)
Kocharyan, however, reminded, that the new passports are not compulsory, and it will be up to citizens to decide whether they want to switch to new IDs and passports or keep their old ones. When getting a new ‘old version’ passport a citizen must pay 1,000 drams (about $2.50). Whereas, an ID costs 3,000 drams (about $7.50), and a biometric passport - about $63.
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Quelle/Source: ArmeniaNow, 21.05.2012
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