Brussels, November 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has confirmed that an action plan establishing a visa-free regime for Ukrainians will be agreed at the EU-Ukraine summit.
"We are launching an action plan for Ukraine towards the establishment of a visa-free regime for short stay travel [to the European Union]," he said, while opening the 14th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday.
Barroso also said that Ukraine was a key EU partner. He said that during the summit, the sides intended to discuss a wide range of issues, including talks on an association agreement.
President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, in turn, said that Brussels acknowledged the EU membership aspirations of Ukraine.
"This is not only the choice of the government; this is also the choice of the people," he said.
The EU president said that relations between Kyiv and Brussels were based on common values that are "directly linked to the quality of democracy and reforms in Ukraine."
"The European Union stands ready to support Ukraine in her reforms. I see this summit as an occasion to provide further impetus to EU-Ukraine relations," Van Rompuy said.
