Tourism and business stream from Ukraine to EU to rise 20% with visa-free regime

The business stream and flow of tourists from Ukraine to EU member states, including Belgium, will rise about 20% due to the introduction of visa-free status for Ukrainians. That's according to Ukraine's Ambassador to Belgium Mykola Tochytsky who spoke with Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Sunday

Tochysky said visa-free status is a big deal for Ukraine, as well as for the EU, adding that Kyiv hopes for a solution to the so-called Gibraltar issue involving joint air-space as quickly as possible.

Visa-free status for Ukrainians took force on June 11. All Ukrainians with a biometric passport are able to visit 30 EU countries without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days during a 180-day period. Visa-free status does not apply in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Iceland and Norway.

Ukrainian diplomats are holding talks to rescind visa requirements with Gibraltar. Talks are not underway with Kosovo to introduce visa-free status, because Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo's independence.

According to Ukraine's Border Service, as of 17.00 on Sunday more than 1,300 Ukrainians had entered EU countries without visas.