Brussels, 30/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 29 October in Brussels, the European commissioner for justice, freedom and security, Jacques Barrot, and the Ukrainian minister for foreign affairs, Vladimir Ogryzko, officially launched consultations for the future introduction of a visa waiver system with the Ukraine. During a press update, Barrot declared that by launching this dialogue on visa waiver travelling, “the European Union is opening a new chapter in its relations with Ukraine”. The decision to launch this dialogue was taken during the EU-Ukraine summit on 9 December, in Paris (EUROPE 9736). The commissioner explained that this dialogue will focus on four major subjects: document security, mainly through biometrics, the fight against illegal immigration, public order and security, as well as external relations. According to the commissioner, efforts by Ukraine in the fight against organised crime, the trafficking in human beings and money laundering are also very important. The head of Ukraine diplomacy was hoping that the EU would abolish the visa system for the Ukraine before 2012 and stressed: “It is very important for the Ukraine to complete this process before the European football championship - Euro 2012 - jointly organised between Poland and Ukraine”. Mr Barrot, however, affirmed that he could not make the Commission give a commitment on an exact date - “this will significantly depend on progress made by Ukraine”. The European Commission has agreed to remove the final obstacles (prices, speed with which visas are granted) to the effective application of the EU/Ukraine visa facilitation agreement, which entered into force on 1 January last (EUROPE 9295). Mr Barrot asserted that “some member states have not completely respected the terms of our agreement. I will, if necessary, begin infringement procedures against those that have not, for example, respected visa prices”. He refrained, however, from mentioning any of the member states in breach of these terms. Under this agreement, the duties that Schengen member states receive for granting Ukrainians visas are set at €35, except in specific cases. Poland, Belgium and Spain, however, continue to impose prohibitive tariffs. Mr Barrot ultimately indicated that he could possibly envisage the simplification of procedures for granting long stay visas. The current agreement only involves visas of less than three months. (B.C./transl.rh)