Introduction of biometric passports is a condition set by the EU, which can not be avoided, Foreign Ministry Oleh Voloshyn said during the meeting with the heads of foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine, ForUm correspondent reports.
"The introduction of biometric passports is one of the key conditions. When we reach visa-free travel regime - only people with biometric passport will be able to travel to the EU without visas," he explained.
At the same time, he noted that getting a biometric passport is not obligatory - a person can leave the old passport, but in this case the visa issuance procedure can be done.
"This does not mean that a person will not be able to travel to the EU. In this case you should get a visa, as visa free regime will cover only those having biometric passports. A very introduction of visa-free travel without passports is impossible, so the adoption of this law is extremely important," the diplomat said.
At the same time, Voloshyn said that there are demands of Europe of that all Ukrainians without exception shall have biometric passports.
