Elimination of visa requirements could be an important step

The European Commission has concluded last December that Kiev has met all the criteria of the so-called Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, but the change of government had somewhat postponed this decision. The recommendation must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

Ukraine has long aspired to have the EU withdraw the mandatory visa, a move that they would take as an acknowledgement of their reform efforts. In order to obtain the recommendation from the Commission, Ukrainian authorities had to adjust their data protection system and the regulations on passports to fit the European norms. At the same time, Ukraine had to guarantee that, among others, they would be ready to cooperate smoothly with the EU in the field of criminal investigations. Ukraine’s drawing closer to Europe remains a goal important to everybody, so Hungary is dedicated to supporting the process.

Andrea Bocskor, MEP of Fidesz-KDNP from Subcarpathia emphasized that this announcement was a long-awaited turning point in the process of Ukraine’s visa-free status, and it improves the prospects for Subcarpathian ethnic Hungarians in maintaining contacts, widens educational and touristic possibilities. “It is through this kind of easement that they would be able to get to know not just Hungary, but also Europe as a whole,” the EPP politician stated.