04 March 2016, 00:30
In 2016, the European Union will take its decision on the liberalization of the visa regime for Ukraine.
Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman told this to the 1+1 TV channel on Thursday.
"In 2016, these decisions [on the liberalization of the visa regime by the European Union for Ukraine] will be taken. The decisions are likely to be taken in the first half of 2016. All depends on the European Commission and the European Parliament," Groysman said, having noted that he had been assured of respective decision by EU high-ranking officials.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada said that as at January 1, 2016, Ukraine fulfilled all the requirements of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan for Ukraine. At the same time, Groysman said that two more issues remain unsettled: the establishment of the National Anticorruption Agency and technical amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On electronic declarations."
Groysman noted that the effective wording of that Law, which envisions criminal responsibility for provision of unfair data, "makes everyone criminals — which simply refers us to the approaches of the Soviet Union times."
"Ukraine needs that Law as it will make the officials open, public. The officials will have to declare all their property and the property of their relatives," Groysman said.
The Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament also added that together Ukrainian and European experts will settle the issue of the electronic declaration. Before late this month, the Verkhovna Rada will regulate respective amendments "and then the visa-free regime will be introduced." The parliamentary factions leaders are ready to vote for respective amendments, Groysman said.
Besides, the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada expressed hope that in turn the Government would make everything it can to establish the National Anticorruption Agency.