Ukrainian Visa-free Travel to EU Hits Roadblock

Until recently, President Yanukovych was saying the abolition of visas for Ukrainian citizens in Europe will become a reality even before the Euro 2012 championship.

But now experts are predicting that it will take another 5 years for Europe to open its borders to Ukraine.

[Valeriy Chaly, Vice-Director, Razumkov Center]:
"Now, especially after PACE has adopted quite a tough resolution, it seems to me that without additional requirements - including the rule of law, a reliable judicial system, and fight with corruption – it will be very difficult to talk about the introduction of a visa-free regime."

EU officials warn that granting a visa-free regime to Ukraine depends on the implementation of a national action plan.

The plan was adopted in November 2010, but so far even its first step - creating the necessary legal framework - has not been fully implemented.

[Oleksandr Sushko, Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation]:
"It's a failure of the first block which requires the adoption of legislation in accordance with European standards for identification documents, as well as the appropriate set of bylaws... and of the fourth block where the main problem is the absence in Ukraine of anti-discrimination law. "

At present, journalists, representatives from scientific and cultural circles, and drivers involved in international transport can get visas to the EU under the simplified system.

NTD News, Kiev, Ukraine