Overall, Ukraine continues to fulfill visa liberalization benchmarks. However, in view of recent developments, immediate actions need to be taken in order to ensure full implementation and sustainability of past reforms, according to the EC's report.
The document emphasizes that it deals with such areas as illegal migration and readmission, combating corruption and money laundering, as well as public order and security.
The Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the continuous implementation in 2018 of the requirements for visa liberalization.
The European Commission has stated that Ukraine needs to address the following areas:
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- Step up targeted information campaigns clarifying the rights and obligations entailed in visa-free travel,
- Ensure the independence, effectiveness and sustainability of the anti-corruption institutional framework, in particular by setting up an independent and specialized high anti-corruption court in accordance with the Venice Commission opinion and Ukrainian legislation. In parallel, the independence and capacity of NABU and SAP must be ensured and reinforced, reversing current trends undermining their work.
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- Repeal the amendments extending the scope of asset declaration obligations to civil society declarants and ensure that civil society can play its role without undue obstacles and interference; and
- Step up efforts to combat organized crime, including by dedicating sufficient resources and expertise in the National Police, introducing a clear delineation of competencies and improving cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
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Ukrainians who are holders of biometric passports are allowed to stay in and move freely across the EU member states for no more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
The EU Council has approved in February 2017 a new visa waivers suspension mechanism for third countries.