DISINFO: Europe may cancel visa-free regime due to measles epidemic in Ukraine
SUMMARY
The President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Ukraine, Semen Gluzman, states that the massive failure of Ukrainian parents to vaccinate their children led to a large-scale problem with infectious diseases, in particular, measles. He believes that a measles outbreak threatens Ukraine with the loss of a visa-free regime from a number of EU countries.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative about the EU planning to revoke the visa waiver for Ukraine. On December 19, 2018, the European Commission published the second report on the implementation of visa-free regime requirements by eight countries in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, in particular, Ukraine. The document states that all countries fulfil these requirements, but should take additional measures to combat corruption and irregular migration. The report does not mention the situation with measles or another infectious disease, and that this may affect the termination of the visa-free regime. Regarding Ukraine, the European Commission notes that the criteria for visa liberalization continue to be met, but some of the recommendations from the first report have not been fulfilled, therefore immediate action is required