The procedure of registration and use of diplomatic and service passports of Ukraine is set by Regulations on Diplomatic and Service Passports of Ukraine, announced by Edict of the President of Ukraine as of February 26, 1998 No 153/98, Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine On Approval of the Procedure of Registration, Distribution, Return, Keeping and Utilization of Diplomatic and Service Passports of Ukraine as of November 27, 1998 No 1873.

Mentioned legal acts stipulate return for keeping in archives of diplomatic and service passports not later then 10 days after the completion of business trip abroad.

Thus, diplomatic and service passports are to be used exclusively for business means.

Usage of these passports for other means, namely for tourist or private aims, may cause prohibition for the owner of the passport to enter this or another country as well as can harm the image of our country.

Unfortunately, MFA has to state that some of the officials neglect the requirements of current national legislation.

In the context of Ukraine - EU visa-free dialogue as well as negotiations with some EU member states on the visa regime liberalization, currently the topical issue is the proper implementation of the requirements of national passport work legislation by all the branches of government, without exception.

As a part of visa-free dialogue the European side stressed the need not only to increase the safety of Ukrainian travel documents, but also the necessity of strict compliance of the application rules, concerning, primarily, diplomatic and the service passports.

As it is known, the special attention has been paid by the President of Ukraine on ensuring the citizens rights for freedom of movement to other countries, especially to the EU member states.

The Action Plan on visa-free regime with EU, received by Ukraine on November 22, 2010, is the evidence of positive results achieved by our country in this field.

The unconditional and effective realization of the instructions by the Head of State concerning the implementation of this plan should be the top priority for all power branches in Ukraine.

Therefore, any violations in the field of migration, including the misuse of official documents is illegal.

In this regard we pay attention that under the legislation of Ukraine the responsibility for the delayed return or failure to return of the diplomatic or service passports to the MFA as well as their usage for private aims lies on a person to whom such passport was issued as well as on the heads of bodies on which request such passport was registered.