Kazakhstan, EU open talks on visa facilitation deal

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kazakhstan and the European Union have begun formal negotiations on a visa facilitation and readmission agreement, marking the first process of its kind between the EU and a Central Asian nation, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev and Johannes Luchner, a deputy director-general at the European Commission’s migration and home affairs directorate, co-chaired the first round of talks in Brussels.

The launch of negotiations comes as Kazakhstan and the EU mark the 10th anniversary of their Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, a milestone Kazakh officials described as underscoring the “maturity and strategic orientation” of the relationship.

According to the statement, both sides said the talks reflect growing trust and a shared commitment to easing mobility, expanding opportunities for citizens and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Officials said no other Central Asian country has previously opened such negotiations with the EU.

The negotiations were formally announced during Monday’s meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Cooperation Council, co-chaired by Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

The next round of negotiations is expected to take place in Astana in 2026.