New visa policy receives warm welcome in Ukraine

President Aleksander Kwasniewski said on Thursday Ukrainians would be given free visas under a new visa policy demanded by the EU as of July 1, easing Ukrainian fears that the policy would work to isolate them. Kwasniewski added that he already had discussed the issue with the Finance Minister and Prime Minister. President Kuczma has personally expressed his gratitude to the Polish president for solving the problem successfully. He has also thanked Polish officials for, "Supporting Ukraine on its way to enter the European Treaty." Kwasniewski, who has promoted Ukraine's flagging image in Western Europe, said after talks with President Leonid Kuchma that he wanted to ensure good ties with Ukraine, where many living near the border have relatives in Poland. (Reuters) M.M.