Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan discuss possible launch of common visa project

AKIPRESS.COM - The second meeting of the interparliamentary commission for cooperation between the Parliaments of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is held in Osh. One of the topics of discussion is creation of a common visa for the Central Asian states. The details of the talks were not specified.
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan planned to launch a Silk Visa similar to Schengen visa this February so that other states of the region could join the project in future.
The project was not launched in February. State Tourism Committee Vice Chairman Ulugbek Kasimhojaev explained to journalists the main reason why the visa was not introduced is that two countries use different approaches to visa waiver arrangement with other countries.
Kazakhstan has its own list of visa waiver countries, Uzbekistan has its own list. The most important thing is to harmonize these lists, the official explained.
Another issue is a visa fee, Ulugbek Kasimhojaev added. The visa fee should be unified. "We are working on these details now. One should realize introduction of this visa has been approved at the top level and we are addressing all issues now," Ulugbek Kasimhojaev stated.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan expressed readiness earlier to join the Silk Visa project. Turkmenistan mulls joining the project. Turkey and Azerbaijan may join the project in future.