ISTANBUL

Ukraine's government has taken a step forward in securing a "roaming visa-free" agreement with the EU, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Tuesday.

While the EU began allowing Ukrainians to use their mobile phones in the bloc's territory incurring roaming charges after Russia's war, the bloc will formally vote on allowing Ukraine to permanently join the EU’s roaming zone later this year.

“Today, we are making an important decision that is part of obtaining a ‘roaming visa-free’ agreement with the EU. This will strengthen the connection of Ukrainians abroad with their homeland, families, and loved ones. It will contribute to the unity and consolidation of the Ukrainian people,” Shmyhal said at a government meeting, according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Joining the EU roaming zone is seen as a step toward full EU membership.

Shmyhal added that Ukraine has quickly moved from applying for EU membership to opening accession negotiations.

“As part of sectoral integration, key elements include so-called ‘visa-free’ agreements with the EU in trade, transport, energy, customs and digital sectors. We aim to solidify these achievements permanently while also working toward securing an industrial ‘visa-free’ arrangement,” he said.

Since being granted candidate status in 2022, Ukraine has deepened its integration with the EU across various sectors, advancing agreements to align economically and regulatory.

The EU roaming area allows consumers to make calls, send text messages and browse the internet as if they were in their home country. The system also operates in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.