On November 18, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, met in Brussels with the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner. According to the Tajik MFA information department, the talks focused on several key issues of bilateral cooperation, including measures to combat terrorism and extremism, strengthen border security, and address current security challenges.
One of the central topics discussed was the simplification of visa procedures for Tajik citizens and the regulation of labor migration. These issues are of strategic importance for strengthening the partnership between Tajikistan and the European Union. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan emphasized that improving visa policies and managing labor migration are priorities for the development of regional cooperation and the deepening of relations with the EU.
During the visit, Muhriddin also held a meeting with Ms. Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the Belgian Minister of Asylum, Migration, Social Integration, and Urban Policy, on November 18.
The two reportedly exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation in labor migration, preventing illegal migration, and expanding trade and economic relations. Following the talks, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Tajikistan and Belgium.
In addition, the European Union Council recently approved amendments simplifying the suspension of visa-free regimes for third-country nationals in cases of human rights violations, non-compliance with international court decisions, or other actions contrary to the EU’s interests. RBC says the suspension period can now last up to 12 months. This change aims to enhance the EU’s visa policy mechanisms, allowing for quicker and more efficient responses to abuses of visa privileges and situations that may threaten EU security and interests.
According to the new regulation, the EU will be able to suspend visa-free entry for countries that violate the EU’s visa policy or run citizenship-by-investment programs, granting citizenship to individuals with no real ties to the country. Similarly, deteriorating relations with the EU over human rights violations will also be grounds for suspension.
So far, the EU has only once applied a visa suspension — against Vanuatu, due to the country granting Russian citizens citizenship through investment programs, which allowed them to enter the EU without a visa.
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