During the EP plenary session (3-6 April 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the right for Ukrainian citizens to travel to the EU without a visa. Statements by Michal BONI (EPP, PL), On behalf of rapporteur, Vera JOUROVA, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Dubravka SUICA (EPP, HR), Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN (S&amp;D, DE), Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL) and Ulrike LUNACEK (Greens/EFA, AT).

Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement; Ukraine: extracts from the debate by Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG)

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SOUNDBITE (English), Micha&#322; BONI (EPP, PL), On behalf of rapporteur, Ukraine has achieved all the benchmark criteria setout by the EU, and has even gone beyond expectations in terms of sustainable reforms. Important advancements have been realised in the areas of document, security, border and migration management, public order and security, and external relations and fundamental rights.

<p>Ukraine i the key partner for the EU in the Eastern partnership in the matters of fight against organised crime and terrorism, fight against human trafficking and fight against corruption. Our vote today, tomorrow, supporting the visa waiver, for the |Ukrainian citizens, would constitute in this sense the concrete realisation of their aspiration and engagement in favour of peace, stability and European ambition.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Very soon Ukrainians holding a biometric passport will be able to travel to the Schengen area, for short stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, In parallel, the revised visa suspension mechanism just entered into force at the end of last month. The visa suspension mechanism will be an important tool to further enhance security for the EU but also to strengthen our visa liberalisation policy. Under the new mechanism the Commission will monitor the continuous fulfilment of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (Croatian), Dubravka &#352;UICA (EPP, HR), Ukraine has undertaken a path of comprehensive reforms, and these are geared towards setting up a political and economic system that works. The success of the undertaken reforms should allow Ukraine to become a European state.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN (S&amp;D, DE), So our adoption of this tomorrow will send out a clear signal to the Country Ukraine, that it in difficult can count on the EU as a partner. We are opening the doors towards Europe a little bit further.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL), But we should be looking not only at what the government is doing, but we should also be analysing the aspirational attitude of the Ukrainian people who want to be a part of the west. The red light, the orange light has been o for a long time, now we have the green light. but this is only the first step towards close strategic partnership with the Ukraine. And I do hope one day Ukraine will join the European family

SOUNDBITE (English), Ulrike LUNACEK (Greens/EFA, AT), <p>Having the Eurovision Song Contest in May, in Kiev, really is something that I greatly support. Nevertheless, I personally don't think it was very wise decision not to let the Russian singer participate. the Song Contest should be something joyful for citizens, from whichever country, and it should overcome the fears and the problems that are in the Ukraine with the Russian war mongering etc in there.</p>

Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement; Ukraine: extracts from the debate by Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG)

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