Kyiv Opposes Stricter Visa Requirements

Although Ukraine agrees to tightened control on its western borders, it is proposing the EU refrain from imposing stricter visa requirements on Ukrainian citizens. A statement to this effect was made by the Ukrainian delegation to the European conference in Brussels (Belgium) which touched upon issues of EU integration and fight against terrorism, the Deutsche Welle Ukrainian service reports. Oleksandr Chaly, Foreign Ministry State Secretary for European Integration and Ukraine’s Permanent Representative in the European Council, who headed the delegation, told Deutsche Welle that Kyiv is ready to side with the EU in the fight against terrorism and Ukrainian aircraft can be used to deliver humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. However, as he put it, tightening control on EU borders and mounting fight against illegal migration might have negative consequences for Ukraine, especially, “stricter border control on its western frontiers. As a result, Ukraine will become a haven for illegal migration, and stricter visa requirements will be imposed on Ukrainians entering the Schengen zone.” Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova were invited to participate in this forum for the first time.