Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council: The European Commission`s evasive position on the timing of the introduction of a visa-free regime with Armenia is not unexpected

ArmInfo. The European Commission's evasive position on the timing of visa-free travel with Armenia is not unexpected: Brussels traditionally demands maximum concessions from applicants, but limits itself to assurances of "brilliant prospects." This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev.

"Without a doubt, there is nothing unexpected in this position. The European Union's habits are well known: to extract maximum loyalty and concessions from membership applicants, in exchange for non-binding assurances of "brilliant prospects." "So the only unexpected thing in this situation is the current Armenian leadership's unfounded trust in such assurances," the senator said, according to TASS.

"And if it's not trust, then it's an unprincipled hope that they can exploit the competition for Armenia from other power centers besides the European Union. It won't work," he added.

Previously, the European Commission did not confirm that Yerevan would be able to obtain visa-free travel with the EU in 2029, as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had hoped. According to EC spokesperson Paula Pinho, "it's too early to speak with such certainty."