Kyiv expects decision on visa-free regime by late 2016 - Poroshenko

16:38, 03.06.2016 1 min read

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is convinced Ukraine will receive a visa-free regime with Europe by the end of this year.

"We are doing everything possible for the Parliament and the Council of the EU to consider this issue by summer. Unfortunately, this may occur in September. But I am optimistic and believe Ukraine will get a visa-free regime in 2016," Poroshenko said at a press conference in Kyiv.

The head of state stressed "there are no negative signals with regard to the issue."

The president said now the EU is deciding on providing the European Commission with the right to suspend a visa-free regime, but this does not concern the decision of the European Parliament and the Council of Interior Ministers on granting Ukraine, which has met all the necessary criteria, with a visa-free regime.

Poroshenko said he was certain the EU would grant a visa-free regime to Ukraine, but could not say exactly when.