Ukrainian PM calls for ‘visa-free’ access to EU

Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko met with European leaders on Monday, on her first official visit since her election in December.

She first met commission president José Manuel Barroso, whom she called upon to grant visa-free agreements between her country and the EU.

“We need a visa space between the EU and Ukraine,” she told journalists on Monday.

“It is an incentive to carry on our processes.”

Barroso called the working meeting “constructive and friendly” and said it was a “positive first contact” with the pro-western leader.

“I’m hopeful that political stability can be a reality in Ukraine,” said Barroso.

“It is essential to allow Ukraine to pick up the pace of political and economic reform.”

EU and Ukrainian delegates are this week taking part in the sixth round of talks on a new and enhanced partnership agreement, which Barroso said would “bring Ukraine and the EU closer together in as many areas as possible”.

Ukraine has also just cleared the final hurdle in membership of the world trade organisation, which last Friday adopted the country's accession package.

Tymoshenko said negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs) with the EU will begin after Ukraine formally joins the WTO, and added that the energy sector would be a key partner in negotiations.

“Ukraine should work with all branches of the energy sector to become good partners with all members of the WTO,” she said.

Barroso added that negotiations on FTAs were to begin in the next few weeks, once both sides have been briefed by their experts.

The Ukrainian leader will follow up by meeting parliament president Hans-Gert Pöttering on Monday evening and trade commissioner Peter Mandelson on Tuesday.

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