Back Armenian high-level delegation explores European practices on migration and refugee protection during study visit to Germany and at the Council of Europe Headquarters in Strasbourg

Armenian high-level delegation explores European practices on migration and refugee protection during study visit to Germany and at the Council of Europe Headquarters in Strasbourg

An Armenian delegation comprising high-level representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Migration and Citizenship Service, as well as the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (whose participation was supported by UNHCR Armenia), participated in a study visit to Nuremberg, Germany (8–9 September 2025), and to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France (10 September 2025) to exchange experience and deepen their understanding of European standards and practices in migration governance and refugee protection.

Since 2023, the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been implementing a far-reaching reform that includes, among other priorities, the introduction of new biometric passports and measures to improve documentation processes for displaced population. This context made the study visit particularly relevant for strengthening institutional capacities and aligning with European best practices.

The visit to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in Nuremberg provided the delegation with practical knowledge of Germany’s migration policies, including integration measures for refugees, the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive, and approaches to the promotion of voluntary return. The programme also featured an overview of the German asylum procedure, a visit to the Branch Office in Zirndorf, and discussions on bilateral co-operation, particularly within the framework of the TAC ARM Temporary Accommodation Centre project implemented jointly by BAMF and the Armenian Migration and Citizenship Service.

Following the exchanges in Nuremberg, the delegation continued to Strasbourg for a series of high-level meetings at the Council of Europe Headquarters. The programme covered the work of key bodies such as the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and the Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons. The delegation also learned about the European Committee on Legal Co-operation, the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, and the HELP Programme’s thematic courses on the protection of migrants and refugees.

The Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service Ms Nelly Davtyan highlighted the importance of the study on the experience accumulated in the European Union member states as a result of the application of the temporary protection instrument on the way to providing permanent and long-term solutions to the issues of documentation and integration of displaced persons from Karabakh. At the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, the Head of the Service highly appreciated the two-year cooperation with the Council of Europe partners in the context of protecting the rights of displaced persons. She emphasised the importance of the busy agenda, from the perspective of a detailed study of the activities of the Council of Europe related to migration processes.

The study visit was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Strengthening human rights safeguards for the displaced population in Armenia”, implemented under the Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026.

Nuremberg - Strasbourg 8-10 SEPTEMBER 2025
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What is the goal and objective of the project?

This project aims to provide tailored support to Armenian authorities in addressing the needs of displaced persons and refugees, with a specific emphasis on strengthening human rights institutions, particularly the Human Rights Defender’s Office and the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The project's primary emphasis is to accompany the authorities towards operating with an advanced legislative and policy framework related to displaced persons, ensuring that the letter enjoy basic human rights per the European Convention on Human Rights and other European standards. It also focuses on enhancing the capacity of legal professionals, relevant national authorities, and civil society organisations to respond effectively to the needs of the displaced population. Furthermore, the project aims to facilitate access to information on rights and available services for displaced persons, ensuring they are well-informed about their entitlements and available support.

 Start date: December 2023

 Duration: 30 months

 Funding: EUR 1,000,000, Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia for 2023- 2026

Main Partners: Ministry of Justice, Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Human Rights Defender’s Office

Contact person: Ms Tamara Barbakadze, Project Manager

 

Who benefits from the project?
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • Human Rights Defender’s Office
  • general public
How does the project work?

The cooperation project will be carried out in line with the priorities laid down in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 through:  

  • tailored legislative and policy actions
  • capacity building of civil servants, legal professionals, and civil society organisations
  • raising awareness of the rights and available services for displaced persons
What do we expect to achieve?
  • National authorities operate with advanced legislative and policy framework, related to the displaced persons, and deriving from the need to address certain challenges.
  •  Legal professionals, relevant national authorities and civil society organisations operate with enhanced capacity while responding to the needs of the displaced population.
  •  Access to information on the rights and available services is facilitated for the displaced persons.
Reference documents
Videos

Turning Human Rights standards into practice for the displaced population

 

Armenian citizenship is now easier to access - displaced persons and refugees can now apply for Armenian citizenship through the digital platform mcs-citizenship.am designed to make the process simple, accessible, and user-friendly from anywhere and anytime.