Ukrainian citizens will soon be able to travel in the European Union for a 90-day stay over a 180-day period, following the European Commission’s adoption of a visa liberalization regulation for the country.

The adoption is the culmination of a process that begin in December 2015, with the commission determining that Ukraine was eligible for the liberalization plan, according to an announcement. The commission published a proposal for the regulation in April 2016, and the Council of the EU and European Parliament agreed to its terms in late February.

The regulation has been sent to the council and European Parliament for their signatures and will subsequently be published in the EU Official Journal. The regulation will be effective 20 days after its publication.

"The adoption of the regulation on visa liberalization for Ukrainian citizens is an important development, which will help strengthen ties between the people of Ukraine and the EU,” Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela said in the announcement. “It follows the completion of the necessary reforms by Ukraine in a number of areas including migration, public order and security, external relations and fundamental rights. Furthermore, the revised suspension mechanism recently adopted by the EU makes it possible for the Union to suspend such liberalization, if there are serious migration or security issues with Ukraine."