Approval of visa-free regime for Ukraine is return of Ukrainians to common European home – Poroshenko

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said this in his address on the occasion of the decision of the Council of the EU to approve legislative initiative on the introduction of visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens, the press service of the Head of State reported.

"The EU Council of Ministers has just adopted a final decision to grant us, Ukrainian citizens, the right to visa-free travel. On May 17 in Strasbourg, in the premises of the European Parliament, respective legislative act will be solemnly signed pursuant to our agreement with our European friends. Probably, this will be one of my most important visits in three years of service at the post of President of Ukraine," he stressed.

The Head of State says that he is eternally grateful to everyone who helped him fulfill one of his main election promises.

"Congratulations, fellow Ukrainians, on this historic decision of the Council of the European Union. This is like returning home after a long and exhausting trip… Returning to our common European home! Appreciate your Ukrainian passport. And love Ukraine!" the Head of State stressed.

The President notes that approximately on June 11, 34 European countries will turn on the green light for the owners of Ukrainian biometric passports - for visa-free short-term trips. There will be no more queues in embassies and visa centers. There will be no more exhausting rigamarole with paper collection. People will save money spent for consular fees and services of intermediaries.

At the same time, Poroshenko underlines that visa-free regime is much more than just a simplified way to travel abroad. It is a giant step towards Europe, towards assertion of human freedom and independence of our state. We get rid of the post-Soviet past and increasingly become part of the common European civilization.

ish