You're reading: Ambassador says tourism and business stream from Ukraine to EU to rise 20 percent

BRUSSELS – The business stream and flow of tourists from Ukraine to EU member states, including Belgium, will rise about 20 percent 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 June 11.

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.

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 June 11 more than 1,300 Ukrainians had entered EU countries without visas.