KIEV, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday praised the decision of the Council of the European Union (EU) to liberalize visa regulations for Ukrainians, granting visa-free travel for biometric passport holders.
"The visa-free regime is much more than just a simplified way to travel abroad. It is a giant step towards Europe," Poroshenko said in his address to the nation.
He described the EU decision as a recognition of Ukraine's positive transformation on its path of reform in many spheres.
Earlier in the day, the Council of the EU adopted a regulation enabling Ukrainians to travel to the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in every 180-day period.
The new travel rules, however, do not allow Ukrainians to work or permanently reside in the EU countries without a visa.
Signed by the Council and the European Parliament and published in the EU Official Journal, the regulations will take effect 20 days later.
The EU launched visa-free talks with Ukraine in October 2008, laying out about 150 criteria for Kiev.
