Ukraine parliament passes major law, paving the way to visa-free travel

Ukraine's parliament approved on 15 March 2016 an anti-corruption law which could pave the way for visa-free travel to the European Union later in the year. The country's president Petro Poroshenko had already vetoed an earlier version of the bill.

The new legislation established public oversight over the assets of both senior and lower-level officials and their relatives.

Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko met with European Council and European Commission presidents on 17 March, highlighting the legislative improvements in his country since the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Resignation of reformist minister sheds light on rampant Ukraine corruption http://www.europeansources.info/record/resignation-of-reformist-minister-sheds-light-on-rampant-ukraine-corruption/

ESO: Background information: No lifting of the visa barrier for Ukrainians, says Juncker http://www.europeansources.info/record/no-lifting-of-the-visa-barrier-for-ukrainians-says-juncker/

Ukraine: Verkhovna Rada: News, 14.03.16: Verkhovna Rada Chairperson Volodymyr Groysman hoping Parliament will eye draft law on e-declaration during Tuesday's morning plenary meeting http://iportal.rada.gov.ua/en/news/top_news/126504.html

EUObserver, 17.03.16: Ukraine moves a step closer to EU visa-free travel https://euobserver.com/justice/132728

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/16/862, 17.03.16: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's remarks at the joint press point with European Council President Donald Tusk, and Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-862_en.htm

EurActiv, 18.03.16: Poroshenko vows to end political crisis, wins promise of visa-free travel http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/poroshenko-vows-to-end-political-crisis-wins-promise-for-visa-free-travel/

European Council: Statement, 17.03.16: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/17-tusk-remarks-president-ukraine-poroshenko/

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