17:54 24.11.2016

Visa-free regime between Ukraine, EU likely to be introduced before year end

2 min read
Visa-free regime between Ukraine, EU likely to be introduced before year end

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed confidence the European Union will be able to introduce a visa-free regime with Ukraine before the end of 2016.

At a joint press conference with European Council President Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Juncker said he is confident that despite difficulties and differences existing between certain EU member countries and the European Parliament, a visa-free regime may be provided to Ukraine before the end of the year.

He also said the issue now rests with the European Parliament and the European Council in terms of agreeing on the mechanism of response to migration challenges in Europe.

Poroshenko, in turn, said "it was the position of the president of the European Council, the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Parliament that we have done everything [necessary to introduce visa waiver] and today inter-institutional negotiations [are underway] between the European Parliament and the European Council [on agreement by the European institutions of the mechanism of suspending visa-free regime with third countries]. I am very glad to hear the prediction of President Juncker that he is an optimist and believes that this [agreeing on the mechanism] will conclude before the end of this year."

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