Ukraine-EU visa facilitation deal takes effect

KIEV, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainians can now travel to the European Union (EU) countries under new rules, as an agreement which provides procedural facilitation for a wider category of applicants came into force on Monday.

The agreement, signed in July 2012 and approved in April 2013, simplifies requirements for Ukrainian truck drivers, journalists, cultural and civil society members and relatives of EU citizens to obtain short-term visas, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

The measure also includes decreasing visa fees for the above-mentioned categories of Ukrainians.

Ukraine hopes to sign an Association Agreement with the EU in November, which includes a roadmap for abolishing the visa regime for Ukrainians.

The EU citizens have been exempted from visas when travelling to Ukraine since 2005.

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