EU expects Ukraine to implement two more reforms before visa-free regime can be established
The European Union expects full implementation of two out of five commitments in the so-called “visa-free” package from Kiev.
A European diplomat said this to the correspondent of UKRINFORM in Brussels, commenting on the package of "visa-free" legislation approved by the Verkhovna Rada last week.
"Yes, indeed, there are still two important questions left: the National Anti-Corruption Agency and the law on electronic declarations," the diplomat said.
At the same time, he believes that the European Commission will soon make a legislative initiative in the European Council and the European Parliament on the abolition of visas for citizens of Ukraine and Georgia.
"But the final assessment will be made by the EU member states. Some of them claim that Ukraine must fulfill all obligations and their promises alone are not enough," the EU diplomat said.
He emphasized that the best guarantee of a visa-free regime for Ukraine is to implement all five obligations.
"The President of Ukraine, Poroshenko, signed up under all of these obligations," he said.
Earlier, the press secretary of the European Commission, Maya Kosyanchich, said that after making a positive assessment of Ukraine's progress in fulfilling the plan for visa liberalization, the Commission will present the EU Council and the European Parliament with a legislative initiative on the abolition of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens
On February 18th, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted three laws required for the establishment of a visa-free regime with the EU. In particular, changes were made to the law on the Prosecutor's Office, as well as to the legislation concerning the activities of the National Agency of Ukraine for the identification, investigation and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes. Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine regarding the procedure of seizure of property and special confiscation were also approved.