Yesterday the European Comission adopted a proposal on the introduction of visa-free regime for Ukraine.

Well, the long-awaited and promising news. But, as always, there are people who have found what to reproach the President and other “Euro-negotiators” for. I have often heard such arguments as “those who traveled to Europe don’t need visa-free regime, they will go on doing that” and “what is the problem to get a visa? You should just come to the embassy once and get it.”

There is a certain point of sense here, but there is more bile, of course. For all eurosceptics I will gladly explain the obvious advantages of visa-free regime using the relations between Ukraine and Israel as an example.

Since the introduction of visa-free regime between our countries passed 5 years – it is quite a period to draw conclusions and see the first results. During this time the flow of tourists between Ukraine and Israel has grown from tens of thousands to hundred of thousands: over the past year 150 thousand of Israelis came to Ukraine. According to the official figures 129 311 Ukrainians visited Israel during the last year. And more than 120 thousand trips are private.

Already during the first year after the introduction of visa-free regime the trade turnover between Ukraine and Israel rose by more than 49%, and Ukraine sold goods worth $ 922, 5 mln to Israel. Now this goods turnover between our countries is more than $1 billion per year and this figure is constantly growing.

In addition, Ukraine is the main supplier of grain, which the Israelis bake their famous matzah from, the amount of “Ukrainian” matzah is more than half in Israel.

After the introduction of visa-free regime Ukrainian businessmen have begun actively (not just once or twice a year) visit Israel, and that implies new channels of trade, new markets, new ways of cooperation and profit.

So, since now you can go to the airport with a passport, buy tickets and fly to Israel, this advantage is taken by the relatives of those 500 thousands of repatriates who have left Ukraine and live in Israel.

Interesting fact: despite war, crisis and numerous threats present in both countries, number of citizen that visit Ukraine and Israel only grows. Same way as in agriculture, trade, spheres of culture, science, technologies and medicine.

In 2016 it is planned to sign free trade agreements between our countries – this shows positive development dynamic of bilateral cooperation, that became clear in the resent years.

Adding to it all Israel is a country that is in the process of active development, and in constant need of specialists in various fields. As a result, last month it was announced, that Israel proposes 10 thousand working places for construction workers from Ukraine. Besides that, Ukrainian IT and agriculture specialists constantly cooperate with Israel either on its territory or in the way of distant work.

As you can see, advantages are obvious. Perhaps I can name few more: you do not have to wait in the long line in any season of the year in front of the embassy to get visa. By the way, European visas cost about 30-35 euros. If we count that last year more than 1.5 mil Ukrainians left to EU, you can easily imagine the amount of money that “just like that” will stay in Ukraine.

Additionally, with abolition of visa regime students and people who are looking for official employment will get wide opportunities, because you can visit an interview at any suitable moment.

And, of course with visa-free regime with Europe wide opportunities are first of all opened for small and medium business.

I hope that sooner or later all sceptics will understand all advantages of visa-free regime. And if they do not, it will not influence the result, because it will for shore happen.