Ukraine can launch biometric control for foreigners this year

The introduction of biometric control for citizens of other states crossing Ukraine's state border could start by the end of 2017.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said this at a council meeting on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"It should be launched not later than January 1 next year. But if the respective authorities - the Interior Ministry, the State Border Service, the Migration Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - are ready, I do not rule out that it could be launched before the end of this year," he said, when asked when the decision on the crossing of the Ukrainian border by foreigners with biometric passports will be made.

Turchynov noted that the introduction of border crossing for foreigners with biometric passports, preliminary electronic registration for citizens of Russia wishing to cross the border and control of the movement of Russians through Ukraine should happen in accordance with a single program to be drafted by the Cabinet of Ministers.

op