Moldova overtook Ukraine on its way to visas’ elimination

The European Union officially recognized the lagging of Ukraine on visa-free dialogue from Moldova by announcing the Kishinev’s conversion on the second phase of the visa liberalization action plan – writes Komersant-Ukraine.

European Union signed an agreement on simplification of visa regime with Moldova, refusing to approve the same document with Kyiv.

Sources claim that the reason for this became the problems with democracy in the country. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not lose the hope that by end of July Ukrainian agreement will be signed.

According to the UNIAN agency, signing of changes in the agreement between Ukraine and the EU was blocked by the Vice President of the European Commission Viviane Redding (responsible for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship).

The Vice-President of the European Commission considers unacceptable the signing of any agreements with Kyiv in the period when Ukrainian leadership accused of conducting political repressions.

But this contradicts to numerous statements which were made by European politicians that Brussels will not ‘punish Ukrainian citizens for the actions of their government’.

One of the interlocutors said that the preliminary agreement on this issue has already been achieved. ‘We expect that the agreement will be signed on July 23 at the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Eastern Partnership in Luxembourg’ – said the diplomat.