The real beginning of visa-free travel of Ukrainians to the countries of the European Union was a real event for those who were sure that the decision would be made and for those who doubted it. And for the government, which demonstrates that it can achieve results. And for citizens who actually cross the border without visas. And for our neighbors in Russia who can not hide the senseless envy.

Against this background, "visa-free" is beginning to be perceived as real European integration - although by no means is that.

Visa-free tourist trips are the norm for a civilized country. The fact that we have so far traveled to neighboring countries for visas demonstrates the depth of distrust to us. And the whole inconsistency of the visa policy of the European Union. Because a few years ago we could enter the countries of Central Europe without a visa. And there were no problems with migration for them or for us.

Then these countries became members of the EU, they were forced to introduce visas for us - and now everything is really coming back to what was - plus the countries of the west and south of Europe. But will this be a real coming to Europe and parting with Russia?.

The Republic of Moldova received "visa-free" long before us. But this did not change the economic situation in the country and did not lead to serious changes in the political moods. Moreover, citizens of this particular, visa-free country have elected as their president a policy that promised them to abandon European integration.

So do not flatter yourself. Without real steps to implement reforms, Ukraine will not approach the European Union by a single step. Although the visa-free regime, of course, will save.

Because the visa-free regime with the EU has many countries that are infinitely far from Europe in terms of development, and in terms of values. These countries do not cause fears in the EU migration services - only the whole. And other migration services can cause fears of the country, which seem to us an example of development and success.

Countries like Israel or Poland have struggled for years to abandon the visa regime with the United States - but every time they get rejected even from their biggest friends in the White House and the State Department.

It is important to be not a country that expects from others the abolition of visas. It is important to become a country that cancels visas. This is the main task for the next generations of Ukrainians.

Original.