The European Union has confirmed that Ukraine will remain part of the visa-free regime despite the absence of an official agreement. The country will continue to enjoy the benefits of visa-free travel until a final decision is made on further cooperation, reports the Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Radio Liberty.
The EU has granted Ukraine the opportunity to travel freely within the Schengen area without requiring a visa. However, in light of certain new requirements, EU representatives emphasize the importance of complying with security standards and adapting to updated regulations. A revised monitoring mechanism, which has entered into force, enables Europe to maintain visa liberalization for Ukrainians, while paying particular attention to issues of security and the fight against organized crime.
Moreover, based on ongoing consultations, the EU will assess whether there is a need to review Ukraine’s visa-free status depending on the fulfillment of these conditions. At the same time, the restoration of visa-free travel does not imply that EU member states must abandon enhanced document checks at borders.
Ukraine continues working to meet the necessary standards to retain its visa-free travel status. Among the key regulatory changes is the improvement of national security screening procedures, which, according to European officials, is intended to enhance control over the flow of individuals with high-risk profiles.
The EU also underlines that the visa-free regime is an important element of its partnership with Ukraine, supporting the country’s European trajectory. Ukrainian citizens will be able to continue traveling to EU countries without a visa, as long as cooperation aligns with safety requirements and other criteria.
Earlier we wrote that The European Union has extended the “transport visa-free regime” with Ukraine.