The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak hopes the European Parliament to complete ratifying all the procedures regarding the Agreement to amend Visa Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU as soon as possible
20 December 2012, 15:50
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak hopes the European Parliament completes ratifying all the procedures regarding the Agreement to amend Visa Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU as soon as possible.
V.Rybak said this during the meeting with the Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok.
He noted that the beginning of work of the Verkhovna Rada of new convocation and formation of the Government establish fruitful preconditions for activation of democratic and economic reforms, and promote further realization of strategic course towards European integration. “Current stage of relations between Ukraine and the European Union is of special importance. The respective recommendations of the European Parliament Resolution of December 13 are viewed as evidence of EU loyalty to further deepening of bilateral relations with Ukraine by signing the Association Agreement,” V.Rybak said. Thereat, he expressed gratitude to the partners in the European Union for the suggestions in the part of reforming the system of rule of law in Ukraine, as well as for the support of Ukraine’s reform efforts.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that the Ukrainian Party supports the call of the European Parliament regarding the necessity of further visa facilitation regime for Ukrainian citizens. He stressed it is important that the European Parliament completes ratifying all the procedures regarding the Agreement to amend Visa Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU signed in July 2012 as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian Party expressed hopes that the European Parliament shall, without any further delay, consider amendments to the Schengen Borders Code that would positively influence development of interpersonal contacts.
In this context, E.Brok noted that the European Parliament is ready to work on the issue of visa facilitation regime for Ukraine. “The more young Ukrainian citizens visit Europe, the better,” the European MP noted.
The Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs stressed that before signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in Vilnius next year, a number of reforms, particularly in the sphere of law-enforcement bodies, are to be implemented in Ukraine.
V.Rybak confirmed that Ukraine is interested in early signing of Association Agreement since, after it is being signed, a deeper free trade area could be established. The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament believes that it is important both for bilateral Ukraine-EU relations and in terms of geopolitical dimension. He emphasized that the majority of people’s deputies uphold Ukrainian eurointegrational course.