Ukraine Visas for Europeans?
The tension between Europe and Ukraine is increasing on another front. This article at www.unian.net seems to confirm some of the rumours swirling about; Ukraine is threatening to end the visa free regime that Europeans enjoyed over the last several years. No word on how or if this will affect citizens of the United States or the U.K.
Several years ago, Ukraine broke with the cumbersome and expensive Soviet visa scheme still practiced in Russia. This has brought a small but measurable wave of investment, new business and tourism into Ukraine.
It has certainly made it easier for entrepreneurs to work and develop new businesses here. The continuation would certainly go a long way towards increasing further investment when the global economic crisis eases, and will facilitate an even greater transfer of wealth from West to East.
Many companies in Europe will relocate their manufacturing in the next decade. A positive atmosphere as evidenced by a visa free regime, would help with this process just as a streamlined visa process did in China during the 1990s. This does not take into account the agricultural sector which will see a flood of Euro investment when laws regarding the sale and leasing of land change.
As expats who look towards the future with optimism and hope for even more business and opportunities, let’s hope that this latest threat is merely a negotiation ploy designed to get the attention of bureaucrats in Brussels.
The Ukrainian government is certainly correct about the lack of reciprocity from the EU in terms of visa issues as well as immigration. The EU continues to treat Ukraine more as a threat than as an asset and until this mentality changes within the councils of Europe, Ukraine will have to swallow some pride, be tough and creative with regards to policy, and walk the “tightrope” between the EU and Ukraine’s powerful neighbor to the East.
Ukraine considers re-introducing visas for Europeans soon - official
Kiev, Apr 04, 2009 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) –
Visa-free travels between Ukraine and Europe will be cancelled soon, maybe even before 7 May, the deputy head of the presidential secretariat, representative of the president [Viktor Yushchenko] in the Supreme Council [parliament], Ihor Popov, said in an interview with the Radio Liberty on Saturday [4 April].
“We will cancel visa-free regime with Europe soon and we will benefit from this. This will happen very soon, maybe even before the summit in Prague on 7 May 2009,” Popov said.
He said that “law-enforcement agencies complain that since Europeans come to Ukraine without visas, every three months police catch some kind of a ‘paedophile’ or a ‘maniac’”.
“Entering Ukraine, a foreigner shows a passport on the border, 10 seconds and off he goes. Later it appears that the man should not have been let in. As a result, he is put on the national wanted list since he entered without a visa and is not registered in the database,” Popov said.
Popov also said that this action can “push Europeans to cancellation of visas for us”.
Source: UNIAN news agency, Kiev, in Ukrainian 1843 gmt 4 Apr 09
Tags: agiricultural sector, Anton Olff, Brussels, China, entrepreneurs, Europe, foreign investment, Global Economic Crisis, immigration, MBS Ltd., Russia, Soviet Union, tourism, U.K., ukraine, United States, visas, www.unian.net
April 6th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Not registered i nthesyste? Every time my passport is stamped, it goes into the computer.
Instead of kissing tourist money away, why not simply register peole reardless of visa status. Ukraine continues to cut off its nost to spite its face. Stupidity rules with these bnch of moronic imbeciles.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Yes…one would think that upon entry into Ukraine, the computer used by the Border Guards would automatically register you as well as check to see if you were a fugitive.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Frustrating…
April 6th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
It would seem as if many countries in the EU have allowed unchecked immigration from Africa and south Asia. Much of this immigrant population does not bear any friendship to their new hosts nor would it seems they wish to adopt their new host countries customs and language.(ie the UK and sharia law)
At the same time, as your article indicates, the chances for free travel–much less immigration–are very limited for eastern Europeans if they wish to explore the EU countries. Although I could be incorrect, it is my understanding eastern European immigrants have almost always shown good faith in adopting the customs and languages of their new host countries.
From a person who does believe national sovereignty is of value, this situation strikes me as most odd.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:13 am
The majority of European countries make it extremely difficult for Ukrainians to obtain visas, accordingly, they consider themselves humiliated as they feel that they are treated as 2nd class citizens.
While I can understand their frustration, the notion of doing away with the Visa Free scheme is shortsighted and will backfire.
Those of us here in Odessa contribute to the economy and bridge the east west divide.
I sincerely trust that a resolution to this problem will appear sooner rather than later.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Yes…it would very shortsighted indeed. In fact, now more than ever Ukraine needs the investment and foreign capital that derives from increased tourism and trade.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Ukraine to have visa-free regime to EU countries in 3-4 years?
The President’s Secretariat refused to make any statements on negotiations on free-visa regime. At the same time Viktor Yushchenko informed about significant progress in negotiation process. According to agreements between Kyiv and Brussels, which foresee signing of the road map on visa-free regime, visas to the EU countries for Ukrainians can be cancelled in 3-4 years.
The President Viktor Yushchenko hopes that by June, Ukraine and the European Union will have a clear plan for holding visa-free regime negotiations.
Viktor Yushchenko said that yesterday at a joint press conference with European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering in Kyiv.
“Starting from June 4, 2009, we will have a plan with all the steps required for Ukraine’s transition to visa-free relations with Europe,” Yushchenko said.
In turn, Pottering said that Europe does not want to be separated from the rest of the world, but has to worry about the safety of its citizens. He also noted that practical issues, including the visas, should be thoroughly considered.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I think the EU’s problem is two fold:
1. Let’s face it; you can buy anything in Ukraine. Ukraine will have to clean its act up.
2. The Russian influence (behind the scenes).