Ukraine’s Interior Ministry initiating dialogue with UK on visa facilitation

This issue was discussed at a meeting between Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and British Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine Melinda Simmons, Ukrinform reports referring to the ministry’s press service.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the enhancing of cooperation between the Ukrainian Interior Ministry and the United Kingdom, especially in the context of the recent visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to London.

"Today we are discussing a roadmap for implementing the reached agreements. In particular, the Interior Ministry is initiating a dialogue between the countries on visa facilitation for Ukrainian citizens; we are open for cooperation with the British side on the issues of analysis of migration procedures and legislation. Relevant specialists will arrive in Ukraine with this mission,” said Avakov.

The interior minister noted the need for opening a British visa center in Ukraine to accelerate the processing of applications from Ukrainian citizens. According to Avakov, such a step will indicate a serious attitude of the British government on this matter.

Ambassador Melinda Simmons has said she welcomes the active dialogue between the interior ministries of the two countries.

As reported by Ukrinform, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov met with UK Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel on October 7. The parties agreed to work out mechanisms to combat cross-border and cybercrime, illegal migration and operational data exchange.

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