The European Union has officially denied reports of negotiations with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan regarding the establishment of centers for migrants who have not been granted asylum in the EU. EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais stated that such issues have not been discussed in the past and are not being discussed now.

"Such negotiations have not taken place and are not taking place," he emphasized. Stiprais clarified that while EU legislation does allow for the creation of such centers in principle, this currently only exists as a legal framework, with no concrete steps taken in practice.

Earlier, Kazakhstan also voiced a similar position. On June 1, official representative of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry Erlan Zhetibayev denied information about alleged negotiations with the EU. The reports had suggested possible placement of migrant centers in exchange for visa facilitation, but this version was not confirmed.

Subsequently, Tashkent also issued a denial, stating that no negotiations with the European Union on this matter are underway.

The discussion was sparked by a Politico article citing diplomatic sources, which claimed that several EU countries — including Austria, Germany, Greece, and Denmark — were considering creating centers outside the union. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were mentioned as possible locations.

Source: podrobno.uz