EU notes considerable progress in Ukraine's implementation of the second phase of Visa Liberalization Action Plan

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin met in Brussels with new EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.

P.Klimkin informed the EU Commissioner on the state of implementation by Ukraine the Visa liberalization Action Plan, stressing the priority of anti-corruption reforms package as well as initiatives aimed at the introduction of biometric passports in the country. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted the importance of the European experts of assessment missions, which analyze the legislation on migration and asylum as well as border management, stressing also the need for strict implementation by the EU the provisions of enhanced agreement on Visa Facilitation between Ukraine and the EU.

Particular attention was paid to the preparation for Riga Eastern Partnership Summit in May 2015. Parties agreed to promote an open dialogue on current immigration and visa issues in the context of the implementation by Ukraine the second phase of Visa Liberalization Action Plan and to hold regular meetings of experts from Ukraine and the EU at the senior officials level.

"Symbolically, you are the first foreign minister, whom I met in my new capacity as Commissioner," said D.Avramopoulos, referring to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, stressing the readiness to contribute to the progress in the visa liberalization.

D. Avramopoulos confirmed that dialogue with Ukraine on migration and visa issues is priority for the EU, noting significant progress in implementation by the Ukrainian side of the second phase of Visa Liberalization Action Plan. In this context, he expressed hope to preserve positive dynamics in the implementation of priorities, defined by Ukraine, which will allow the EC to objectively evaluate the progress.

P.Klimikin invited Commissioner D.Avramopoulos to visit Ukraine in the nearest future.