The consolidation of values of freedom, human rights, democracy and supremacy of law is gaining particular importance against the background of celebration of the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. That event proved strong appreciation of the European values by the Ukrainians. The freedom of movement is one of such rights.
In view of:
- full implementation of obligations within the framework of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan by Ukraine, in particular, in the field of introduction of biometric passports, longstanding and effective implementation of the Readmission Agreement signed between Ukraine and the European Union, adoption of anti-discrimination, anticorruption laws and results of their implementation;
- the fact that visa-free regime has to be introduced immediately after the fulfillment of the technical criteria mentioned in the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan as it goes under the Association Agreement between Ukraine on the one hand and the European Union, European Atomic Energy Community and their member countries on the other hand as well as under the Agenda of the Ukraine-EU Association.
- the fact that this process does not require any extra criteria or preconditions, especially those beyond the responsibility of the Ukrainian side;
- the fact that Ukraine's current mode of traveling to the European Union artificially limits the potential of tourism development, interhuman and business contacts between the peoples of Ukraine and the EU member countries;
- the fact that on September 1, 2005, Ukraine unilaterally cancelled visas for the citizens of the EU member countries, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
- positive experience in liberalization of travels by the European Union for the Republic of Moldova and other states of the region;
- the importance of further development of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in effective border and migration management, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
- readiness to further counteract modern challenges and threats, first of all illegal migration, organized crime and terrorism,
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:
- request the Governments of the EU member countries to support the legislative proposal of the European Commission to cancel short-term visas for the citizens of Ukraine;
- calls on the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to immediately approve required decisions to abolish visas for the Ukrainian citizens before late 2016.
A total of 261 members of the Ukrainian Parliament supported respective Resolution No. 5394.