You're reading: Parliament calls on EU to introduce visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens (updated)

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has called on the European Union to introduce a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens and include a respective provision in the future association agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

A total of 290 lawmakers out of the required 226 voted for a resolution on the Verkhovna Rada’s statement on cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the visa sphere on Tuesday.

"The Verkhovna Rada calls on the EU and its member states to demonstrate the political will to withdraw the long-term status from the prospects for the introduction by the EU of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens, and include a respective provision in the future EU-Ukraine Association Agreement," reads the statement.

The lawmakers also called on the EU to provide possible assistance to Ukraine in implementing an action plan to liberalize the visa regime. It was proposed to ensure before the introduction of the visa-free regime the strict execution by the embassies and consular offices of EU member states of the provisions and agreements between the EU and Ukraine on visa facilitation, including those on the list of documents required when applying for visas, and on the issue of multiple-entry and free visas.

It is also proposed to amend the visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the EU and expand the categories of Ukrainian citizens to whom it applies, including representatives of non-governmental organizations, religious organizations and organized groups of tourists.

The Verkhovna Rada also invited EU member states to cancel fees for the registration of national and Schengen visas for Ukrainian citizens, taking into account the positive experience of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which have already cancelled fees for the registration of national visas for Ukrainians.