EU ambassadors have decided to add Ukraine to the recommended list of non-EU countries for which restrictions on travel to the EU should be lifted, Radiosvoboda correspondent Rikard Jozwiak reported on twitter on July 14.
The press service of the European Council confirmed the decision: “Indeed, I can confirm that the relevant decision was made today by the ambassadors. Later by the end of the week it will be formalized in writing,” said Interfax.ua.
As of July 1, the list of “safe” countries already included Canada, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Jordan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. According to the correspondent, the updated list with Ukraine on it will be available tomorrow.
In practice, a number of EU countries already allow entry from Ukraine subject to certain conditions, European Pravda reports.
Still, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine claims that the inclusion of Ukraine to the list does not automatically allow entry into all EU member states, European Pravda noted citing the Government portal.
“The decision of the EU Council is of a recommendatory nature for member states that will make the final decision on the inclusion of non-EU countries in the national “green lists” (list of “safe countries”) with regard to the epidemic situation in their country,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba instructed diplomats to promptly hold additional talks with the authorized bodies in each EU member state. They would have to concentrate on Ukraine’s inclusion in the national “green lists” and update the national requirements for crossing the border by Ukrainian citizens.
The criteria for determining so-called “safe” non-EU countries were updated on May 20. They cover the general epidemiological situation and the overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of available information and data sources. Reciprocity must also be taken into account in each case.
According to the EU formula, it is obligatory to have less than 100 COVID-19 cases in 14 days per 100 thousand population.
Schengen-associated countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland will also take part in in this EU recommendation allowing Ukrainians to enter.
Earlier, on June 25, the German Embassy in Ukraine announced it will allow vaccinated Ukrainians to enter Germany for visiting relatives and friends, as well as for tourism.
