Referring to the publication of the second evaluation by the European Commission of the progress of Ukraine on the implementation of the 1st (legislative) phase of the EU Action Plan on visa liberalization for Ukraine it is necessary to note the following. 

The mentioned document is based on the information as of the end of November, 2011 about the work accomplished by the Ukrainian side within four blocks of criteria under the 1st phase of the Action Plan: “Documents security, including biometrics”, “Illegal migration, including readmission”, “Public order and security”, “External relations and fundamental rights”.

The evaluation also includes a set of recommendations which should be implemented in order to move to the 2nd (implementation) phase of the Action Plan.

It should be noted that significant part of the mentioned recommendations has already been fulfilled. Particularly, the State programme for preventing and combating corruption until 2015 and the Action Plan on implementation of the Concept of the state policy in the sphere of combating the organized crime were approved. The Ministry of Social Policy was designated as a national coordinator in the sphere of preventing human trafficking.

In addition, the drafting of the State programme for preventing trafficking in human beings until 2015 as well as of the legislative acts, necessary to facilitate implementation of the Laws of Ukraine “On refugees and persons in need of additional or temporary protection” and “On the legal status of the foreigners and stateless persons” were finalized. The work on preparation of the legislative basis for introduction of the documents with biometric data is in the progress.

Upon detailed analysis of the evaluation, the meeting of the Senior officials within the framework of the Ukraine-EU visa-free dialogue will be held in the near future in order to define the algorithm of further joint steps for the full implementation of the 1st phase of the Action Plan and transferring to its 2nd phase.