EU Commissioner: Ukraine, Georgia and perhaps Turkey will get a visa-free regime this year
The Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said that Ukraine has fulfilled all obligations required for visa-free entry into the European Union (EU).
During an interview with Radio Liberty, Hahn noted that the implementation of legislation is an essential prerequisite for Ukraine in developing its relationship with the EU.
“I am well aware of the challenges faced by Ukraine. Armed conflict continues, there are 1.5 million people displaced and there are big economic problems. This is a huge challenge for the Ukrainian authorities,” Hahn continued.
He noted that Ukraine still have a long way to go to not only adopt the legislation required by the EU, but also to implement it.
Hahn did however express hope that the citizens of Ukraine, Georgia and Kosovo will be able to travel to the EU without visas in 2016. “A political solution is still needed but the authorities have done everything necessary to meet the required standards,” he said.
According to Hahn, obtaining a visa-free regime for Turkey will not be easier than obtaining one for Ukraine, Georgia and Kosovo. He has refuted statements from Ankara that Turkey will receive liberalization quicker due to their help with the containment of the flow of migrants into the EU.
“We treat everyone equally. This means that we will apply the same methodology to Ukraine, Georgia, Kosovo and Turkey,” Hahn explained.
“I think that there should be a joint deal, at least in relation to the three countries, and perhaps even with Turkey,” he concluded.
On the 20th of April, the European Commission called on the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to abolish visas for Ukrainian citizens.
Once this proposal has been adopted, Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports will no longer need a visa for up to 90 days when travelling to the Schengen Area.