Main information/Analitics
The EU pointed out Ukraine’s lags in implementation of three issues required for full implementation of the first phase of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP).
In particular, the Commission draws Ukraine’s attention to the lack of progress in implementing VLAP objectives for liberalization of visa regime. This is stated in the letter of Deputy Minister for foreign affairs Pavlo Klimkin addressed to First Vice-Prime Minister Andriy Klyuyev.
The copy of this letter has been published by “Ukrainska Paravda”.
Deputy Minister informs that at present the MFA of Ukraine is preparing with its counterparts in the EU institutions the second Report on the Ukarine’s progress in VLAP first phase implementation.
“In this context the European Commission and European External Action Service draw Ukraine’s attention to the lack of progress in implementing three key objectives that still remains unimplemented within the VLAP first phase what may have negative impact on the final version of the second Report” – says Klimkin.
He indicates that EU officials marked the lack of progress in three directions:
- the adoption of the law on identity documents with biometric data;
- the adoption of the law on establishment of the special authority for fighting against corruption;
- the adoption of the Strategy for preventing and combat against discrimination in Ukraine and special law in this field.
EU officials, Klimkin says, indicates that “final conclusion on the completion of the implementation of the VLAP’s first phase and terms of transition to its second phase will depend on the pace and completeness of the fulfillment of the objectives mentioned above”.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, all three directions, where the European Commission marked the lack of progress, are within the competence of the Ministry of Justice.
For instance, by decree of President Yanukovych, Ministry of Justice had before December 1, 2011 to introduce the draft law on a specially authorized body on anti-corruption policy.
According to the National Action Plan for visa liberalization with the EU Ministry of Justice is also responsible for bringing the draft decree on the Strategy for preventing and combat aginst discrimionation in Ukraine.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice was the main advocate of the President’s veto for the law of Ukraine “On documents identifying a person and confirming citizenship of Ukraine” adopted by the Parliament of Ukraine last year.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
