EU & Kazakhstan Working to Advance Visa Facilitation Efforts

The European Union and Kazakhstan are focusing on reaching a visa facilitation agreement as both parties discussed several goals to be achieved during Poland’s new role as the holder of the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleška Simkić, met with Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on January 27 to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between both territories, Schengen.News reports. 

Among the issues discussed was the visa facilitation agreement. The EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleška Simkić, emphasised that easing Schengen visa requirements for Kazakhstan requires consensus among all Schengen Area countries. 

She stressed that while Kazakhstan is viewed positively and not as a migration risk, the process has been slowed due to broader geopolitical and migration challenges.

The Ambassador also expressed her hopes to continue funding opportunities for students from Kazakhstan to study in European countries while also encouraging more students from European countries to study in Kazakhstan. 

On the other hand, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu expressed his country’s determination to strengthen strategic partnership with the bloc, highlighting the importance of effectively launching the agreements reached in priority areas of cooperation such as trade and investment, digitalisation, and transport and logistics among others. 

EU Ready to Negotiate With Kazakhstan for Visa Facilitation Agreement 
In October 2024, the EU and Kazakh authorities met to discuss new opportunities that would deepen cooperation between both parties. 

In this meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to reach an agreement on visa facilitation. 

Besides, the EU and Kazakh authorities expressed their readiness to begin the preparation of negotiations for a visa facilitation agreement and readmission agreement.

In addition, in June 2024, the EU International Special Envoy for Sanctions, David O’Sullivan, said that the EU and Kazakhstan officially launched talks in order to make visa procedures simpler for Kazakh nationals. 

O’Sullivan also mentioned positive developments seen between the EU and Kazakhstan, stressing that the launch of the talks would also help to tighten the relationship between both territories as well.

Source: https://schengen.news/eu-kazakhstan-working-to-advance-visa-facilitation-efforts/