COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2025/667

of 27 March 2025

authorising the opening of negotiations with the Republic of Kazakhstan for an agreement on facilitating the issuance of visas

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 77(2) point (a), in conjunction with Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Negotiations should be opened with a view to concluding an agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan on facilitating the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

(2) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen

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in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (1); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(3) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. The Commission is hereby authorised to open negotiations for an agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan on facilitating the issuance of visas to citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2. The negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of the negotiating directives of the Council set out in the addendum to this Decision.

Article 2

1. The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Visa Working Party, which is hereby designated as the special committee provided for in Article 218(4) TFEU.

2. The Commission shall regularly report to the special committee referred to in paragraph 1 on the steps undertaken pursuant to this Decision and consult it on a regular basis.

3. Whenever so requested by the Council, the Commission shall report to the Council on the conduct and the outcome of the negotiations, including in writing.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Commission.

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2025.

For the Council

The President

P. HENNIG-KLOSKA

(1) Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland’s request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen

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(

OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20

, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/192/oj

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/667/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)