In May 2023, a decision was made to initiate consultations aimed at improving and simplifying visa procedures for short-term visits by citizens of Kazakhstan.
This initiative resulted from a meeting between Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Murat Nurtileu and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan highlighted that Kazakhstan is the first country with which the EU has begun such consultations.
The next step will involve obtaining a mandate from the EU Council for official negotiations.
It is worth recalling that in 2017, Kazakhstan introduced a visa-free regime for citizens of EU countries, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
As noted by the EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleska Simkich, the entire process is governed by Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The negotiations encompass several stages of coordination.
She emphasized that at the outset, the European Commission drafts a recommendation that permits the commencement of negotiations to simplify the visa process. This recommendation is discussed in working groups of the EU Council. If all parties agree, the document is initialed and forwarded to the European Parliament.
Subsequently, the Commission presents proposals for signing an agreement, followed by further discussions. The EU Council makes a decision, and the European Parliament votes on the matter.
After a positive vote, the EU Council concludes the agreement and submits the ratification documents.
Ambassador Simkich added that all stages may take up to 2 years, as has been the case with other countries. However, specific timelines depend on various circumstances.
For the EU, key factors remain security, the fight against illegal migration, and the respect for human rights.
In 2023, the visa refusal rate for citizens of Kazakhstan was 9%. In Russia, this figure was 10.6%, while in Kyrgyzstan, it stood at 18.8%.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan emphasized that cooperation with the EU on law enforcement issues, including the fight against illegal migration and the exchange of border control experiences, will continue during the visa liberalization process.
If the agreement is signed, Kazakhstani citizens can expect several advantages.
As demonstrated by the EU's experience with other countries, such agreements often include reduced visa processing times, lower visa fees, simplified document requirements, and the issuance of multiple-entry visas for extended periods. However, the final terms will only be known upon the conclusion of negotiations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan also reminded citizens that it is essential to prepare all documents meticulously for submission, as any discrepancies and errors increase the chances of refusal and may complicate the process for others.
According to the EU ambassador, the negotiation process is unique each time, and the EU does not employ simplified procedures.