/IRBIS, May 19, 2010/ - European Union in June of this year will consider Kazakhstan's bid to conclude an agreement on simplified visa regime, announced today Mr. Norbert Jousten head of the EU representation in Kazakhstan, before meeting the leaders of diplomatic missions of EU Member States accredited in Kazakhstan, with representatives of the MFA .

"Next month we will certainly consider Kazakhstan's bid to conclude an agreement on visa facilitation, the visa issue for Kazakhstan is important that now EU considers Kazakhstan as one of the most important partners", - said Mr. Norbert Jousten.

April 28, 2010 Mr. Kanat Saudabayev Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan handed the letter to the presidential staff of the European Union, which expressed the desire of Kazakhstan to simplify visa regime for certain categories of citizens

"This letter is sent to all members of the EU countries and should lead to discussions at the consular level in order to take any action (to simplify the visa regime for Kazakhstan)," - said Mr. N. Jousten.

From his part, Mr. Rapil Zhoshibayev Executive Secretary of Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan explained that Kazakhstan wanted to "ask EU to minimize required documents of citizens (to apply for visa) and timing of their treatment.

In April 2010 Mr. R. Zhoshybayev held meeting in Brussels with Mrs. Daphne Gugu General Administrator on international migration and visa policy of the General Directorate of "Justice, freedom and security" of the European Commission and senior officials of the European Commission has overall responsibility for co-operation with Kazakhstan, they have discussed to simplify the issue of Schengen visas for Kazakhs.

During negotiations were discussed to facilitate the procedure for Kazakh citizens of Schengen visas, and noted needs to accelerate negotiations to reach an agreement between Kazakhstan and European Union.

European side noted the extensive work which carried out in Kazakhstan on implementation of agreements that contribute to the initiation of negotiations on visa facilitation.

An important advance in terms of visa issues is meeting with representatives of the Spanish presidency of the EU Council, who supported the initiative of Astana on the top of the negotiation process with the EU.

[2010-05-19]