Photo from UNIAN

"Secure state border and the effective fight against smuggling are top priorities for the Government since we need to produce competitive products, which is impossible without the effective border control. The services are also important to our citizens crossing the state border, especially after the introduction of visa-free travel across the EU," Groysman said at a meeting with the newly appointed head of the State Border Guard Service Petro Tsyhykal and former agency's chief Viktor Nazarenko.

The prime minister also urged Tsyhykal to continue the Border's New Face pilot project, which includes the border guard units' reform and recruitment of more personnel.

"I would like to see the development of the New Face of the border project, so that both our guests and Ukrainian citizens feel respect and the normal attitude of the Border Service," the head of government stressed.

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Read alsoUkraine's chief border guard resigns over health issuesAs UNIAN reported earlier, on July 25, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appointed Petro Tsyhykal chairman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Former head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Viktor Nazarenko filed a resignation report, citing health reasons. On July 21, Nazarenko fainted during the address by President of Belarus AlexanderLukashenko at the Ukrainian presidential administration. Nazarenko was provided first aid and then admitted at the Central Clinical Hospital of the State Border Guard Service in Kyiv.