Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk called on the factions that had formed the democratic coalition to approve "visa-free" laws: "The introduction of a visa-free regime is another brick in the European basement of the country. In the name of those who died in Maidan events and for the sake of millions who want a better future," he said at a Government meeting on Thursday, February 18.

The Cabinet’s meeting began with a moment of silence to commemorate those killed during the events in Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that day marked a tragic date when shootings ordered by Yanukovych’s regime had commenced, "a massacre of unarmed Ukrainian citizens who rallied to support our European future holding the flags of the European Union".

Many of the Government officials, he reminded, were fighting together and were directly participating in those events.

"Our common responsibility is to prove everything, the country rose up to assert two years ago, to demonstrate Ukraine could really change. It is the responsibility of all Ukrainian authorities to incarnate the Maidan ideals into life and fight for our values", stressed the Head of Government.

He reminded that the Parliament was considering that day the draft laws necessary for introduction of a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union - "the European Union which we are striving to join and part of which Ukraine should become".

Arseniy Yatsenyuk added that he had signed the Agreement on Political Association with the EU, the President had signed the Agreement on Free Trade Area with the EU: "It is necessary now to complete the adoption of all laws to provide an opportunity for the citizens of the country to travel without visas to the member-countries of the European Union".

"I hope that the parliamentary factions, which formed the democratic coalition, which participated in the election campaign of 2014 under the slogans of European integration, will abide by their promises to the Ukrainian people. They should get back to the Parliament and vote for the laws drafted by the Government, submitted by the President and determined as those of priority consideration for the Ukrainian Parliament", he stressed.

"It is our responsibility to the country and to the people, it means the fulfilment of those obligations that each political force, which considers itself democratic, assumed during the election campaign", urged the Head of Government.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk highlighted it was not about political slogans but about the course of the country, "which should be finally made irreversible": "The introduction of the visa-free regime is another brick in the European basement of the country. In the name of those who died in Maidan events and for the sake of millions who want a better future."