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Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan may join the Eurasian Union

Konstantin Romodanovsky, Russia’s federal migration service chief , opposed the initiative of introducing visa regulations for the Central Asian countries

MOSCOW, February 22 (Itar-Tass) — Konstantin Romodanovsky, Russia’s federal migration service chief , opposed the initiative of introducing visa regulations for some countries in Central Asia, which export most migrants, including illegal ones, to Russia.

“Some ‘hotshots’ thus propose to restrict relations with those countries. I think this is wrong,” he told a Federation Council session on Wednesday.

Russia takes efforts to introduce a visa free regime with the European Union.

“We are also working to create the Eurasian Union. And in theory we realize that Kyrgyzstan and later Tajikistan may join it. I consider it a wrong step to introduce any visa restrictions,” Romodanovsky said.

He expressed confidence that “it is necessary to choose a different path – we need clear mechanisms for those staying in the country and on the other hand – tough punishment for those violating these rules.”