Kucinskis: Latvia supports granting Ukraine visa-free travel to EU

RIGA - Latvia supports granting Ukraine visa-free access to the European Union, as Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis (Greens/Farmers) emphasized during the Baltic prime ministers' meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in Kiev today.

The visit by Kucinskis, Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas and Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis to Ukraine reaffirms the Baltic States' support to Ukraine at the time when it is trying to stabilize the situation in the region and promote sustainable peace in the country, as well as to implement economic reforms, the Cabinet of Ministers told BNS.

International solidarity and a common European Union policy toward Ukraine should be maintained, given that a democratic and economically strong Ukraine is of common European interest, said Kucinskis. Ukraine is a strategic partner of Europe.

At the meeting, the officials highlighted the situation three years ago where Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and aggression in eastern Ukraine changed the security situation in Europe. "Latvia, like the entire international community, condemns this step taken by Russia. We have always been in favor of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and will continue to firmly support it," said Kucinskis.

With regard to the reform process in Ukraine, the officials pointed out that, despite the difficult conditions, Ukraine has made obvious progress in implementing the reforms in the last three years. "I would like to emphasize that it is important for Ukraine not to stop at the progress made, but to actively pursue the implementation of reforms to strengthen the democratic processes and improve the socioeconomic situation in the country. Such an action would be the best way to ensure the international community's continued support for Ukraine's reform process," said Kucinskis. He praised Ukraine's capability to achieve economic growth, despite various difficulties.

It was also pointed out that it has been over a year since the conditions of the EU-Ukraine Free Trade Area were applied, and the positive effects on economic performance are already emerging. "It is essential to develop people-to-people contacts. In this context, the visa-free travel opportunity is important. Therefore, we strongly support the visa-free regime, and hope that already this summer the citizens of Ukraine will be eligible for visa-free travel to the Schengen countries," noted Kucinskis.

As reported, Kucinskis arrived on a two-day visit to Ukraine yesterday.