The main attention was paid to further progress towards a visa-free regime for Ukraine. D. Avramopoulos emphasized the recognition of significant progress made by Ukraine in the implementation of the criteria of the second phase of Visa Liberalization Action Plan, which has been reflected in the report of the European Commission on the state of its implementation, issued on May 8.

He confirmed the readiness of the Commission to promote the completion by Ukraine the remaining tasks  to reach the desired goal - the abolition of visas for Ukrainian citizens. The Commissioner also noted in this regard that the European Commission intends to prepare a further report on the implementation by Ukraine the Visa  Liberalization Action Plan by the end of 2015.

P.Klimkin, in turn, informed about the specific steps that the Ukrainian side has already taken and plans to take for the rapid and effective implementation of the recommendations made in the Report of the European Commission.

Special attention was paid to preparations for the Riga Eastern Partnership summit on May 21-22. Ukrainian side stressed the importance of including in its final declaration a clear signal regarding the timing of launching of the visa free regime for Ukrainian citizens.

The parties supported the further development of the common border and customs control between Ukraine and neighboring EU countries, using the full potential of the changes made to the Schengen Borders Code in 2013.

The sides discussed as well the cooperation in the context of the launching of the EU Visa Information System in Ukraine, planned on 23 June. It was emphasized that this move should not affect the speed and efficiency of issuing the Schengen visas to Ukrainian citizens and should help to increase the number of multi-entry visas issued by the consular offices of Member States in Ukraine. The two sides positively assessed the implementation of the Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on visa facilitation, the progress of implementation of which was discussed during a meeting of the Ukraine - EU Joint Committee on visa facilitation on April 23.

Special attention was paid to the importance of maintaining the EU policy on non-recognition of illegal annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and continuing in this context  non-recognition of the Russian passports issued to residents of the Crimea by the EU Member States.

During the meeting, Ukrainian Minister invited the Commissioner to visit Ukraine soon.