Ukraine and Serbia Sign Visa Liberalization Agreement

Serbia and Ukraine yesterday formalized a visa liberalization agreement between the two countries, the ITAR-TASS news agency has reported.

The agreement was signed yesterday by the two countries’ foreign ministers, Vuk Jeremic of Serbia and Kostyantyn Gryshchenko.

“It delights me to proclaim the new bilateral visa agreement with Serbia to ease visa restrictions between our two countries, opening up travel between the two countries for our citizens,” said Gryschenko during a joint press conference given by the two ministers.

The new agreement means that Ukrainian and Serbian citizens can visit each other’s countries for a period of 30 days in any 60 day window, without needing a visa.

Jeremic said that he expected the agreement to mutually benefit both countries, before thanking Ukraine for its support over the Kosovo issue.

“We will never forget Ukraine’s support,” he insisted.

Ukraine is one of several nations that have not formally recognized the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovan Albanians in the disputed province.

Minister Gryschenko said that Ukraine considered what happens in the Balkans to be very important, and that it was watching how events there developed very closely.

Amongst other issues that the ministers discussed, they also spoke of their country’s desires to join the EU, which is one of their biggest priorities.

Gryschenko added that visa liberalization between the two countries will help to facilitate travel and improve contacts between them.

He said that many Ukrainians want to travel to Belgrade, as well as other tourist destinations in the country, and that there were also many Serbians who wanted to travel to the Ukraine. Trade was also steadily increasing between the two countries, he added.