(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - The EU has given green light to visa liberalization for Ukrainian citizens who want to enter the Schengen area. TheCommittee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament has approved at a large majority the resolution prepared by Bulgarian MEP Mariya Gabriel (EEP), with 38 votes in favour, 4 against and 1 abstension. If the text is approved by the European parliament and Council, the holders of biometric passports will be allowed to travel from Ukraine to the EU without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a period of 180 days. The visa waiver program ''will represent a tangible result reflecting the ambitions and the commitment shown by Ukrainian citizens to bring peace, stability and open a true reform path towards the EU'', MEP Gabriel said.

The negotiations between Brussels and Kiev over visa liberalization got started in 2008. (ANSA).