Armenia taking important step toward creating passport system that  meets international standards

ArmInfo. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a working discussion with RA Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan, during which they presented progress on introducing  a new system of biometric passports and ID cards in Armenia.

According to the government press service, during the discussion, the  Prime Minister noted that the process of introducing biometric  passports and ID cards is in the final stages and will be available  to citizens starting in the fall of 2026.

Arpine Sargsyan, in turn, emphasized that the goal of introducing the  new system is to ensure that identity documents comply with high  international standards, in particular, the requirements of the  International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). According to the  Minister, this will enhance the security of documents, simplify  border crossings, and facilitate the free movement of citizens,  including through the process of visa liberalization with the  European Union.

The Minister of Internal Affairs noted that modern infrastructure is  also being created as part of the implementation of the new system.  The project is being implemented as a public-private partnership. The  new passports will be equipped with high-level security features,  including security components and ultraviolet layers. It was also  emphasized that the document's design reflects Armenian identity,  historical and cultural heritage, and symbols of statehood.  Accordingly, the design primarily features the outline map of the  Republic of Armenia, the alphabet created by Mesrop Mashtots, and the  phrase: "To recognize wisdom and guidance, to know the words of  genius."

The Prime Minister noted that some letters are larger, which suggests  a certain thought and logic behind this.

"Specifically, the letter 'A' signifies freedom and independence, the  letter 'Y' signifies happiness, the letter 'E' signifies God,  emphasizing the role of God, the letter 'Zh' signifies people, the  letter 'I' signifies sovereignty, the letter 'K' signifies life, 'N'  signifies Armenia, 'M' signifies man, and 'J' signifies water. We  also wanted to emphasize the letter 'O' as a symbol of life, as the  original version did not include the letter 'O', implying legality.  The letter 'P' signifies the state, the letter 'S' signifies love,  and the letter 'K' signifies Christ, as the first nation to adopt  Christianity. Of course, similar emphasis could have been placed on  all the letters, but overall, we believed that such an emphasis would  perhaps highlight our strategies, visions, aspirations, and ideas, as  well as add a certain element to the design," the head of the  Armenian government said.

Continuing to present the images located on various pages of the  document, it was noted that it begins with the genealogy of  Armenians, with an image of Hayk Nahapet and petroglyphs discovered  in the Geghama and Ukhtasar mountains, which have a rather ancient  history. The next important milestone in history is also  presented-the cuneiform inscription on the founding of Yerevan, which  is a very important part of Armenian identity and history. It was  emphasized that the image of the Erebuni fortress was restored by  scholars. Next, stones from the period of Artaxerxes are presented,  bearing Aramaic inscriptions. The shape and position of the stones  were also determined through consultation with scholars; they  represent the lifestyle and agriculture of that period. It was  emphasized that the choice of the stone was not random; it was a very  important state and legal instrument even in that period, as it  demonstrated the existence of the state, the essence of public  administration, and the land reforms that were carried out during  that period.  The following page presents the Mother See of  Etchmiadzin, symbolizing the adoption of Christianity as the state  religion in 301. The year of the adoption of Christianity is  emphasized as a key component of Armenian identity and history.

In accordance with the logic of ceremonial precedence, symbols of  modern statehood are represented: the residences of the president,  government, National Assembly, and Constitutional Court. The Yerevan  Cascade and Alexander Tamanyan, the patriarch of modern urban  development, are also depicted.

The documents also make reference to the regions. The following  regions are presented in alphabetical order: the Aragats region with  its four peaks; the Ararat region with Khor Virap, one of the most  important centers of Christianity; the Armavir region with its  lavash-baking process; the Armavir region with its gardens and  orchards; the Gegharkunik region with Lake Sevan and the 10th-century  Berdkunk Fortress; the Kotayk region with the pagan temple of Garni;  the Lori region with the Lori-Berd Fortress; the Shirak region with  its historic center street and the famous view of Phaeton; the Syunik  region with the Baghaberd Fortress; the Tavush region with its  bridge; and the Vayots Dzor region with the Jermuk Waterfall and the  famous deer, the symbol of Jermuk. The Prime Minister emphasized that  through all these historical and cultural monuments, an attempt was  made to ensure the diversity and multifaceted portrait of Armenia. It  was emphasized that, in parallel with the introduction of biometric  passports, automated contactless border crossing systems are also  planned for border crossings, which will significantly simplify and  expedite citizen travel.

Summarizing the discussions, the head of state noted that with this  move, Armenia is taking an important step toward creating a modern,  secure passport system that meets international standards.