The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadir Japarov, proposed to establish a mutual visa-free regime among Central Asian countries and to introduce a single regional visa system for foreigners. According to him, the holder of this visa will be able to travel freely within the territories of five states without any restrictions.
Japarov announced this initiative after resolving long-standing border issues between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. He assessed the signing of the State Border Agreement as a significant event not only for the two countries but for the entire region.
"Now eternal peace has been established in Central Asia," Japarov said in his statement.
The President of Kyrgyzstan also extended an invitation to the leadership of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to cooperate in establishing a mutual visa-free regime. In his opinion, this measure will promote regional economic development and tourism.
"A single regional visa should also be introduced for guests from other countries. This visa should allow free movement in all countries," Japarov emphasized.
Regional Visa System and Its History
Most Central Asian countries already have a visa-free regime, allowing citizens to enter other states without special permits. Only Turkmenistan remains an exception to this arrangement.
The idea of introducing a single territorial visa for foreign tourists was proposed in 2018. This initiative was presented by the daughter of Kazakhstan's first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Dariga Nazarbayeva, who referred to such a system as the "Schengen visa of Asia."
In December 2018, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan announced plans to launch a single visa called "Silk Road" starting in 2019. However, this project was not implemented for various reasons.
Regional Visa: Economic and Tourism Impact
The introduction of a regional visa could make Central Asia a more attractive tourist destination for foreign travelers. This will not only contribute to the development of the tourism sector but also strengthen economic cooperation among the countries in the region. It will be an important step, especially for promoting the historical Silk Road routes and developing tourism infrastructure.
Experts believe that this initiative will also create new opportunities in the business sector. By implementing a mutual visa-free regime and a single visa system, the countries in Central Asia will enhance regional integration and attract foreign investments.
The idea of a single Central Asian visa proposed by President Sadir Japarov is viewed as an important initiative to enhance the economic and tourism potential of the region. If this project is successfully implemented, Central Asia will become a more favorable area for tourism and business, paving the way for a new stage of international cooperation.
