Russia does not plan to introduce a visa regime with Central Asian countries, confirmed Alexander Sternik, Director of the Third Department for CIS countries at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with RTVI.
He explained that proposals for visa requirements are simply the personal views of certain political figures and that the government has no intention of changing its migration policy.
Sternik noted that relevant authorities have been focusing more on the integration of foreign workers. He emphasised that labour migration is an important and in-demand process, and that, if managed lawfully and transparently, it can benefit both the countries of origin and the host nations.
According to Sternik, Central Asian countries are just as concerned about tackling illegal migration as Russia. Providing migrant workers with legal status will protect their rights and allow them to access a range of state and social services.
In recent months, calls to introduce a visa regime with Central Asia have been voiced by Russian State Duma Deputy Sergey Mironov and right-wing businessman Konstantin Malofeev.
