Ruslan Spirin resigns from the post of Ukrainian Ambassador to Mexico. The President of Ukraine signed a decree on the resignation of the ambassador on August 12. The ambassador had already said goodbye to the staff of the diplomatic mission and to the Ukrainians in Mexico through social networks, and on October 19 his big and very interestinginterviewMexican publication El Economista. In it, Ruslan Spirin talks about his achievements as ambassador to Mexico, and concurrently in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Belize, about cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, educational and other spheres.
Among other things, the ambassador mentions the issue of mutual abolition of the visa regime between Ukraine and Mexico. «We began long ago negotiations on signing an agreement on the mutual suspension of issuing visas to citizens of the two countries. Currently, Ukraine's official proposal is being considered by the competent authorities of Mexico.», — Ruslan Spirin reports.
The issue has indeed been discussed for a number of years, but the prospects for the mutual abolition of visas are not yet clear. Since 2010, citizens of Ukraine (and in addition Russia and Turkey) to enter Mexico need only prepare a free electronic permit on the Internet in 5 minutes without the need to apply for a Mexican visa.
At the same time, Mexicans need a visa to enter Ukraine. However, citizens of Mexico also have the right to apply for an e-visa for Ukraine online. But it is done in 3 days, from November 1 it will cost $20 (now $85) and opens the way to stay in Ukraine for 30 days, and not up to 180 days, as with a Mexican electronic permit. In addition, when obtaining a Ukrainian e-visa, you are required to provide documentation confirming the purpose of travel and financial coverage, while when obtaining an electronic permit from Mexico, no confirmation is required.
Ukrainians are clearly placed in a better position than Mexicans when comparing the visa regimes of the two countries.
What we are not sure about is that Ukraine has offered Mexico visa-free stay for Mexicans on its territory for up to 180 days. At the same time, for citizens of most countries of the world, the maximum period of stay in Mexico is limited to just this period.
Of course, the issue of mutual visa abolition is important for the governments and citizens of both countries. But as the Mexican ambassador to Russia said, who also proposes that Mexico cancel visas, “a technical solution needs to be found.” The laws of countries differ, for this reason it is necessary to understand how to harmonize them in order to move forward on this issue.
So far, the flow of Ukrainians to Mexico is noticeably greater than the flow of Mexicans to Ukraine. Ordinary citizens of Ukraine are quite satisfied with the liberal visa regime of Mexico. First of all, Mexico attracts Ukrainian guest powers with its resorts, natural and historical attractions. Mexicans come to Ukraine to also get acquainted with local attractions, but more — for studies and business.
Oksana Dramaretskaya, who previously served as Consul General of Ukraine in Spanish Catalonia, has been appointed the new Ambassador of Ukraine to Mexico.