Brussels – European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday said the European Union (EU) will launch the process for approving Ukraine’s visa-free access to the bloc in April.
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made the announcement at a joint press conference following a working breakfast with European Council President Donald Tusk, and Petro Poroshenko, president of Ukraine.
The process has been delayed for a few weeks as the Ukrainian government failed to meet several final key criteria for visa-free travel to the EU.
“Ukraine has undertaken huge reforms, mainly as far as the adoption of the e-declarations law is concerned or as far as the appointment of the members of the Anti-corruption Agency is concerned.
“These steps taken by Ukraine will allow us as the Commission to make a proposal for visa liberalisation in April,’’ Juncker said.
Poroshenko welcomed the EU’s decision, as it took Kiev a step closer to one of its key political goals.
The former Soviet country had spent years negotiating a free travel agreement with the EU.
However, the anti-corruption agency required by the EU has not been set up until hours before the meeting.
“During last months, we have managed to approve a revolutionary legislation on e-declaration, recovery, special confiscation and prevention of the corruption.
“As a consequence, we have achieved the criteria for the VISA liberalisation with the EU,’’ he said.
Tusk told newsmen he was happy to note that further steps have been taken on visa liberalisation.
“Following the positive report by the Commission in December, Ukraine has taken the key steps in meeting its outstanding commitments.
“I trust it will soon be possible to take the next steps towards finalising this process,’’ he added.
Report says if the process goes well, the 28 member states of the EU will then vote for the proposal on a session scheduled on June 9 and 10. (Xinhua/NAN)