EU grants visa-free entry to Ukrainian citizens.

It is reported that the EU's visa-free entry agreement for Ukrainian citizens came into effect on June 1 1. According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, about 65,438+0,300 Ukrainian citizens enter EU countries visa-free with new e-passports.

In the past few days, Ukraine has held a series of activities to celebrate the official launch of the EU visa-free system for Ukraine. The European Parliament passed a bill in May, allowing Ukrainian citizens with e-passports to enter any EU countries except Ireland and Britain, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland without a visa. According to the law, Ukrainian citizens who enter the country can stay for 90 days in every 180 days for tourism, visiting relatives and friends and business purposes, but they cannot work.

Ukrainian President poroshenko said at the celebration of 1 1 that this day is a historic moment for Ukraine to return to the European family. The EU visa-free system is of great significance. Ukraine has carried out reforms for this purpose, and European partners have also fulfilled their commitments and opened their doors to Ukraine.

Poroshenko said earlier that the entry into force of the EU- Ukraine Contact Agreement, the establishment of the EU- Ukraine Free Trade Area and the EU visa-free system for Ukraine are important steps for Ukraine to move towards a unified Europe. Public opinion here pointed out that with the realization of these three tasks, Ukraine has made substantial progress in the process of European integration, which has also become an important plus for poroshenko to consolidate its ruling position.

Analysts pointed out that the EU- Ukraine Association Agreement will come into full effect soon, which is of more political and legal significance. Because most of the contents of the agreement, except political cooperation, came into effect temporarily from 20 14 1 1. As an economic part of the agreement, the EU- Ukraine Free Trade Area Agreement was officially launched on 20 16 1.

According to the agreement, in 20 16, Ukraine will cancel 70% tariffs on products imported from the EU, and the EU will cancel 90% tariffs on products imported from Ukraine. However, some Ukrainian goods will still be subject to quota measures. In 20 16, the EU accounted for 40% of Ukraine's trade in goods and services. In the first quarter of 20 17, Ukraine's exports to the EU increased by 25%. The Ministry of Agriculture Policy and Food of Ukraine recently said that the EU intends to increase the tariff-free quota of Ukrainian agricultural products exported to the EU by 200 million US dollars in the near future.

Kachka, an expert on international issues in Ukraine, believes that the full entry into force of the EU- Ukraine Association Agreement means that Ukraine will gain more trade and investment opportunities, but at the same time it will undertake more reform obligations, and the EU will monitor Ukraine's implementation of the Agreement more strictly.

In recent years, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have asked Ukraine to speed up its political and economic reforms while providing assistance. In terms of land reform, the EU hopes that Ukraine will open its land trading market and attract foreign investment. In terms of pension reform, the EU hopes that the Ukrainian government will reduce the pension fund deficit; In terms of medical reform, the EU requires Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the use of medical funds; On the issue of anti-corruption, the EU hopes that Ukraine will strengthen its anti-corruption system and external supervision.

Vishnevskiy, an expert from the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with this reporter that the above reforms have far-reaching influence and great significance, which will have a great impact on Ukrainian-European relations.