Kyrgyzstan’s President proposes a unified visa system for Central Asian countries to enhance tourism and cross-border travel, similar to Europe’s Schengen visa. Challenges include aligning policies and Turkmenistan’s strict entry regulations. The initiative is seen as a means to foster regional stability.
Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov has proposed a unified visa system that would facilitate free movement among Central Asian nations including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This initiative, comparable to the Schengen visa in Europe, seeks to enhance tourism, simplify cross-border travel, and foster regional cooperation. Japarov announced the proposal on social media, coinciding with a new border agreement with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon.
The proposed unified visa for Central Asia presents an opportunity for increased regional connectivity and tourism. While it aligns with the current trend of Central Asia gaining prominence as a tourist destination, the initiative faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of aligning immigration policies and addressing Turkmenistan’s stringent entry regulations. The success of this proposal will heavily depend on cooperation among the five nations.
Original Source: www.ndtvprofit.com
