16 October 2015, 15:40
Opening the meeting of the Ukrainian Parliament, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Groysman reminded that on October 8, the people's deputies considered and approved in first reading a package of draft laws on introduction of the visa-free regime with the EU countries. He said these draft laws required additional consideration for second reading taking in account remarks and proposals that were heard during the meeting.
He offered a calendar schedule of preparation of the draft laws for the consideration in second reading at the session hall of the Parliament. He said that before October 22, the people's deputies would have to submit their proposals for the draft laws to be considered during the first week of November.
The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament also noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would have to provide the European Commission with all information about the course of adoption of the said draft laws before November 9. He also noted that the report of the European Commission would have to be provided before December 15, 2015.
Groysman said that in compliance with his order a workgroup formed of people's deputies, members of profile committees, and representatives of profile ministries, European partners, was established today. In his words the workgroup is headed by First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Andrii Parubii. He said that a total of seven committees were invited to consider the abovementioned draft laws. The workgroup will have to engage in the settlement of respective disputable issues.
"This process is very important and we have to show our readiness to take decisions. That would allow us to enable the Ukrainians to freely make trips to the European Union. That means no lines at the embassies and consulates, no piles of documents no one needs today and finally the people would be able to enjoy absolutely free borders that would stop no one," the Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament said.
Ambassador Jan Tombinski, the Head of the European Union Delegation in Ukraine, noted that Ukraine needed preparation to report on the implementation of the second phase of the visa liberalisation in November to give the European Union some time to study the results of the fulfillment of the required criteria.
The heads of the parliamentary committees informed about the state of preparation of the visa-liberalization draft laws for second reading. In compliance with the information they gave before October 22, the committees receive proposals and remarks to the draft laws adopted in first reading for further consideration.
The participants of the meeting also drew attention to the need to systematize the organization of work of the Committees during the forthcoming two weeks until the next plenary week to adopt the said draft laws on the whole.