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EU members agree negotiating position on visa-free for Ukrainians

Xinhua, November 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union members states on Thursday agreed a negotiating position on visa liberalization for Ukrainians, said an EU press release.

Plans to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens entering the EU will be discussed at the European Parliament.

If approved ultimately, the EU will provide for visa-free travel for EU citizens when traveling to Ukraine and for Ukrainian citizens when traveling to the EU, for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.

"By giving its green light, the Council has demonstrated its commitment to visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine, taking into account that all requirements have been met," Peter Javorcik, permanent representative of Slovakia to the EU, and president of the Permanent Representatives Committee said.

"I am also delighted that our decision is able to send a positive message in the run up to the EU-Ukraine Summit on 24 November," Javorcik added.

In Dec. 2015, the European Commission concluded that Ukraine had met all the benchmarks for the exemption of the visa requirement. In April 2016, the Commission published the proposal for visa liberalization. Endit