ICMPD in Armenia

On 12 March, during a high-level panel discussion titled “The Road to Visa Liberalisation: Strengthening EU–Armenia Cooperation in the Implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan,” Magnus Brunner confirmed that Armenia is making strong progress towards visa-free travel with the European Union. The event underlined the importance of sustained cooperation between Armenian authorities, EU institutions, and international partners in moving forward on the path towards visa liberalisation. Head of ICMPD office in Armenia, Andrey Apoyan, also participated in the discussion which took place in the context of Commissioner Brunner’s visit to Armenia.

Panel discussion on the path to visa liberalization and EU-Armenia cooperation + 71 / 12Photos19:34, 12 March 2026Panel discussion on the path to visa liberalization and EU-Armenia cooperationHaHayk ManukyanRead the article in: العربيةՀայերենРусскийTürkçeSection Photos

On 22 January 2026, the closing event of the “Support to Reorganization of the Migration and Citizenship Service” project was held, bringing together key partners to reflect on achievements and discuss next steps.

The event was opened with welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr. Vassilis Maragos, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Armenia, Ms. Nelli Davtyan, Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service, Mr. Radim Zak, Head of Region, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ICMPD.

🔍 Project results and impact were presented by Mr. Andrey Apoyan, Head of ICMPD office in Armenia, followed by a discussion on future opportunities within the VLAP framework and ongoing migration reforms.

Thank you to all partners for their collaboration and commitment to strengthening migration governance in Armenia.

Susanne Raab assumes office as ICMPD Director General (DG) 📢 After having been elected to the position by the organisation’s Member States in June 2025, Susanne Raab officially took office as ICMPD DG on 1 January 2026.

🤝 Michael Spindelegger completed 10 years in this role in December 2025, a period during which the organisation experienced its largest growth in terms of budget, number of employees, and membership.
🤝 Susanne Raab leads ICMPD's development as of January 2026. She will have full managerial responsibility over ICMPD, with over 600 staff members working in 31 offices across more than 90 countries.

🌍 Join us in welcoming Susanne Raab as she begins her term as ICMPD's Director General. We look forward to her guidance as ICMPD continues to understand, connect and empower partners and communities.

🔗 Discover more at: https://www.icmpd.org/news/director-general-susanne-raab-takes-office-sets-priorities-for-safe-borders-labour-migration-sustainable-return-and-reintegration-eu-pact

ICMPD in Eastern Europe and Central Asia ICMPD Silk Routes ICMPD Türkiye Temsilciliği ICMPD Western Balkans

Migration issues and human stories brought journalists together: winners of the “Suitcase 2025” awards announced

For 15 years now, on December 18—International Migrants Day—“Suitcase” has brought together representatives of mass media outlets covering migration issues, who, through words, images, and silence, strive to make the sector’s challenges heard.

Media representatives participating in the competition addressed sensitive topics of migration, refugees, and integration, with the human being at the center. The seven best publications were awarded prizes.

🌍ICMPD commemorates this year’s International Migrants Day, reflecting on ten years after the so-called migration crisis of 2015, an event that has left profound marks on Europe's political and social landscape and its neighbouring regions. The crisis and subsequent events shifted discourses and presented growing challenges that required agility and innovation in policy responses.
🌍 Armed conflicts, environmental disasters, political unrest, and economic hardship continue to force at least 122 million people to leave their homes and cross borders this year alone.
🌍 Today is a commemoration for those who make the decision to move or are forced to move. Many take the risks of human trafficking or exploitation by migrant smugglers, or take irregular routes, while crossing perilous land and sea routes.
🤝 ICMPD is connecting governments, institutional partners, technical experts, donors, and civil society on a wide range of migration governance opportunities.
🤝 ICMPD remains agile to the evolving geopolitical realities for migrants.
🌍 This year’s International Migrants Day is a moment of reflection. Across all levels and depths of ICMPD’s work with governments and partners, and through its role in connecting, understanding and empowering, every story of migration is only complete with one core element – the migrants themselves.

🌍ICMPD commemorates this year’s International Migrants Day, reflecting on ten years after the so-called migration crisis of 2015, an event that has left profound marks on Europe's political and social landscape and its neighbouring regions. The crisis and subsequent events shifted discourses and presented growing challenges that required agility and innovation in policy responses.

🌍 Armed conflicts, environmental disasters, political unrest, and economic hardship continue to force at least 122 million people to leave their homes and cross borders this year alone.
🌍 Today is a commemoration for those who make the decision to move or are forced to move. Many take the risks of human trafficking or exploitation by migrant smugglers, or take irregular routes, while crossing perilous land and sea routes.

🤝 ICMPD is connecting governments, institutional partners, technical experts, donors, and civil society on a wide range of migration governance opportunities.
🤝 ICMPD remains agile to the evolving geopolitical realities for migrants.

🌍 This year’s International Migrants Day is a moment of reflection. Across all levels and depths of ICMPD’s work with governments and partners, and through its role in connecting, understanding and empowering, every story of migration is only complete with one core element – the migrants themselves.

🔗 Discover more about ICMPD's statement for International Migrants Day at:
https://www.icmpd.org/news/international-migrants-day-commemorating-a-full-decade-since-europe-s-migration-crisis-and-icmpd-s-response
🔗 Visit https://www.icmpd.org/ to discover more about our work.

ICMPD Western Balkans ICMPD Türkiye Temsilciliği ICMPD in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Mediterranean ICMPD Silk Routes Prague Process Migrant Resource Centre Pakistan Migrant Resource Centre Sri Lanka Migrant Resource Centre - Osh, Kyrgyzstan Український консультаційний центр - Ukrainian Consultation Center Berlin

An international workshop on “Strategic Communication for Migration Governance was held in Yerevan on November 4–5 at the initiative of the Prague Process Migration Observatory, with the support of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the European Union.
The two-day event brought together representatives of government institutions from various countries, international organizations, and expert communities to exchange knowledge and best practices in migration communication and policy implementation.
In their opening remarks, Armen Ghazaryan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Tomasz Ostropolski, Acting Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia; and Radim Zak, Head of the Prague Process Secretariat, ICMPD, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of strategic communication in shaping effective and transparent migration governance.
Participants explored approaches for organizing information campaigns, communication procedures during the initial stages of the asylum process, and techniques for strengthening engagement between migrants and host communities. The event also featured presentations on the EU’s new Entry/Exit System and on the ongoing activities of the Prague Process Migration Observatory, highlighting current developments and research in the field.

European Union Officially Presents the Visa Liberalization Action Plan to Armenia

During his official visit to Armenia, Mr. Johannes Luchner, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, formally presented the EU-Armenia Visa Liberalization Action Plan to Ms. Arpine Sargsyan, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and Senior Official for the Visa Liberalization Dialogue on the Armenian side.

The Armenian side reaffirmed its determination to implement the measures outlined in the Action Plan, with the overarching goal of enabling dignified, secure, and facilitated travel opportunities to the European Union for citizens of Armenia.

The latest meeting of the Interagency Working Group on Coordinating the Development of a Strategic Crisis Management Framework for Regulating the Mass Influx of Forced Migrants took place on 23 May 2025.

The session was opened by Andrey Apoyan from ICMPD Armenia and Hambardzum Abrahamyan, Deputy Head of the Strategic Planning, Policy Development and Monitoring Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Mr. Kiri Atri from UNHCR Armenia delivered a presentation on communication methods and tools used in emergency situations.

Group discussions on the Draft Strategic Program for the Management of Mass Influx of Forced Migrants were facilitated by Ara Nazinyan.