Oleksandr Turchynov: It is necessary to conduct a thorough check of all those who want to receive a biometric passport arriving from the occupied territories

It is necessary to conduct a thorough check of all those who want to receive a biometric passport arriving from the occupied territories. This was stated by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov in his comment.

According to him, after the launch of the visa-free regime of Ukraine with the EU, the number of those eager to receive biometric passports from the Crimea and from the occupied territory of Donbas has increased significantly.

"At the same time, with no access to the archives remaining in the occupied territories, there is a danger that citizens of other countries, terrorists or representatives of Russian secret services may gain access to the visa-free regime under the guise of Ukrainian citizens from the occupied territories", - Mr. Turchynov said.

"That is why, - he explained, - to prevent such things, it is necessary to amend the current legislation, which will allow conducting a very thorough check of citizens arriving from the occupied territories to obtain a biometric passport. In the case of discrepancy in the submitted data, such citizens should be denied receiving a biometric passport".

In this regard, Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine held a meeting with the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Migration Service, the SSU, border guards and others. He reported that for the legal settlement of this issue, an appropriate draft law was prepared; the bill "was developed by people's deputies-members of the parliamentary coalition and in the nearest future, must be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada".

"At the same time, - Oleksandr Turchynov underscored, - it is critical to adopt this law, vital to ensure the security of Ukraine and Europe, before the start of regular holidays".