NAN-F-73
Loan
Brussels, Feb. 10, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Ukraine is to receive a sum of $640 million loan before the end of February, the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Friday.
Juncker made this disclosure after a meeting in Brussels with Ukrainian Prime Minister, Volodymyr Groysman.
According to him, visa liberalisation between the EU and Ukraine is expected to come into force this summer.
“The measure will allow visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine to the EU and vice-versa for a period of 90 days.
“Over the last two or three years, Ukraine has been realising reforms of a greater magnitude than those of the past 20 years.
“Ukrainians have the right to see something in return for the reform efforts,” Juncker said after the meeting.
The disbursement of the second tranche of the EU loan had stalled over a Ukrainian ban on wood exports.
However, a recent draft bill introduced to parliament by the Ukrainian government was designed to lift the ban on the export of wood.
“We are happy with the way the government is dealing with this matter.
“The commission was highly concerned about the recent escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine.
“We are in favour of everyone respecting Ukrainian sovereignty,” Juncker said. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/YEMI
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Yemi Idris-Aduloju