The European Union commented on the information about the possible cancellation of the visa-free regime between Ukraine and the bloc. Katarina Mathernova, head of support for Ukraine in the European Commission and Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said that such an option cannot be completely ruled out, but the end of the visa-free regime is not even on the agenda yet.
"I will give a straight answer: visa-free travel is well-deserved for Ukraine, it is also a result of Ukraine's choice of a European future. This means that visa liberalization is a good example and incentive for other countries with a similar aspiration," she said in a commentary to the outlet European Truth.
Meanwhile, the option of depriving Ukraine of a visa-free regime cannot be completely discarded, because the Ukrainian side has not fully implemented the criteria for obtaining it.
"We will continue to monitor the anti-corruption criteria for the "mechanism for the visa-free regime termination" that includes the continuous implementation of liberalization indicators and recommendations," Mathernova stressed.
Context. A visa-free regime for Ukrainians for short-term trips to the EU and Schengen countries was introduced on June 11, 2017.
At the end of September this year, it became known that some EU member states are discussing the possibility of restricting the visa-free regime for a number of Balkan and Eastern European states, including Ukraine, due to "abuse".
Read also
Andrii Matiukha supported the initiative to help families of those killed in Kryvyi Rih
Favbet Foundation: how Andrii Matiukha’s initiatives are changing access to sports for children
Public consultations and restoration. What is Shulyak talking about behind the scenes
Ukraine's Recovery: How to Change Critically Low Citizen Engagement Indicators?
