BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 10. Turkmenistan and
Belgium discussed prospects for expanding cooperation on migration
policy during talks in Brussels.
This was reflected in a press release published by the Embassy
of Turkmenistan in Belgium following Ambassador Sapar Palvanov's
meeting with Freddy Roosemont, Director-General of Belgium's
Immigration Office.
"The parties considered the possibility of preparing a bilateral
document on cooperation in the field of migration, which could
create a practical basis for further interaction between the
competent authorities of Turkmenistan and Belgium," the embassy
said.
According to the press release, the discussions focused on
establishing practical cooperation between the migration
authorities of the two countries, including the protection of
citizens' rights abroad, information exchange, and the sharing of
experience in migration management.
The embassy noted that the Turkmen side highlighted the
importance of cooperation on identity verification, document
restoration, consular assistance, and the development of reliable
mechanisms for interaction between migration authorities amid
growing international mobility.
The Belgian side welcomed Turkmenistan's proposals and expressed
readiness to deepen practical cooperation. It also proposed
organizing a visit by representatives of the State Migration
Service of Turkmenistan to Belgium to exchange experience, while
confirming its willingness to send a Belgian delegation to
Turkmenistan for further discussions.
Meanwhile, migration policy remains one of the areas where
Turkmenistan has been gradually updating its regulatory framework
while expanding cooperation with international organizations and
foreign partners. In April 2025, the country adopted legislation
introducing an electronic visa (e-visa) system, replacing the
previous requirement for most foreign visitors to obtain a letter
of invitation. The reform is expected to simplify business travel
and support tourism and investment ties.
In parallel, the State Migration Service has accelerated the
digitalization of migration procedures. Recent amendments to the
Law on Migration introduced electronic registration,
deregistration, and extension of stay for foreign citizens through
an integrated information system, while also simplifying several
administrative procedures for international transport operators and
other categories of visitors.
Turkmenistan has also been strengthening cooperation with
international migration institutions. In April 2026,
representatives of the State Migration Service met with the
International Centre for Migration Policy Development to discuss
border management, digital migration systems, participation in the
BOMCA programme, and regional initiatives such as the Prague and
Budapest processes. The country has likewise maintained cooperation
with the International Organization for Migration on promoting
safe, orderly, and regular migration.
