Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry does not rule out visa-free travel to Schengen area

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn’t ruled out potential visa-free travel with the EU, Yerlan Zhetybayev, the official spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, said during a briefing.

Visa-free entry to the EU for Kazakhstan nationals

He urged Kazakhstanis to wait until the visa-facilitation agreement with the EU is finalized, as negotiations on a full visa-free regime can begin only then.

«Let us sign the agreement. It will be a major step forward both for our side and for the Europeans. It will facilitate travel for our citizens. After that, we will return to the issue of a visa-free regime. As the foreign ministry, we work on an ongoing basis to secure the most favorable agreements and conditions for our citizens traveling abroad. This work is being carried out with all foreign partners. Some agreements have already been signed, while others are unilateral arrangements,» Zhetybayev said.

Negotiations with the EU

Earlier, Kazakhstan and the EU signed several documents in the presence of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. These included an agreement on certain aspects of air transport, the ceremonial signing of an order for up to 50 Airbus aircraft by Air Astana, memorandums on the E-Zholdary digital platform, the restoration of roads along the Middle Corridor and the establishment of a center of excellence for minerals and metals.

Previously, Kursiv.media reported that Kazakhstan and the EU held final talks on the visa issue.