Yerevan/Mediamax/. On the initiative of Poland’s Embassy to Armenia, the pilot program for introducing visa system of data transfer among Schengen agreement countries will start in Armenia on October 26.
Poland’s Consul to Armenia Anjey Shmitke said during his meeting with journalists today that the main goals of the Visa Information System (VIS) is to facilitate processes of issuing entrance visas, checking of the EU external borders as well as enhancing the security level, Mediamax reports.
In his turn, head of the Political, Economy and Press Department of EU Delegation to Armenia Onno Simons noted that the introduction of the system will allow combating abuses and protect personal data of those traveling against robberies.
According to him, the EU hopes to start negotiations on visa regime facilitation with Armenia in spring and introduction of the VIS system is becoming more important in this respect.
Consul departments and border checkpoints of countries of Schengen agreement will be connected to the central VIS database so as to introduce the system.
VIS comprises biometric data (fingerprints, photos) of those who apply for Schengen visas. Fingerprints are not obligatory only for children aged below 12 as well as those having diplomatic passports.
The pilot program will finish in May 2012.
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