European Commission Proposes Visa-Liberalisation for Ukrainian Citizens

20 April 2016

Today the European Commission is submitting a proposal for the Council of European Union and the European Parliament concerning introduction of visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens.

Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos noted: "Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports – facilitating people-to-people contacts and strengthening business, social and cultural ties between the EU and Ukraine. This is the result of the success of the Ukrainian government in achieving far-reaching and difficult reforms in the Justice and Home Affairs area and beyond, impacting on areas such as the rule of law and justice reform. I am very satisfied with the progress achieved, it is an important achievement for the citizens of Ukraine, and I hope that the European Parliament and the Council will adopt our proposal very soon."

Before visa-liberalisation can be introduced, the proposal must be adopted by the Council and the European Parliament.