Newsroom
Abolition of Tajik exit visa major step forward, says OSCE Mission Head
DUSHANBE 26 August 2002
DUSHANBE, 26 August 2002 - Ambassador Marc Gilbert, Head of the OSCE Mission to Tajikistan, described the abolition of exit visa requirements by the country's government as a major step forward. "It is of high symbolic value because freedom of movement will help Tajikistan to enter the world's mainstream from which it has so long been separated." he said.
The decision fully complies with international obligations endorsed by Tajikistan, he added.
At a joint press conference on Friday, 23 August, with the Vice-Director of the Department of Information of the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Davlat Nazriev, and the Head of the UN Office for Peace Building (UNTOP), Valdemar Rokashevski, Ambassador Gilbert reiterated that the OSCE Mission is ready to support the Tajik authorities in implementing their decision.
"If citizens meet difficulties, let them come to the OSCE. We shall help." he said.
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan by a Decree of 3 August, repealed Article 8 of the "Regulation on Travel Passports for the Citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan of 26 February 1998", which required a compulsory exit permit in foreign passports.
The revised Article 6 of the Decree also simplifies the procedure for issuing foreign passports.
The OSCE Head of Mission noted that the decision followed two other major recent steps by Tajik Authorities to build a more democratic society: the decision for the first time to grant three independent radio stations a broadcasting licence in the capital Dushanbe and the transfer of the prison system from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Justice.
The decision fully complies with international obligations endorsed by Tajikistan, he added.
At a joint press conference on Friday, 23 August, with the Vice-Director of the Department of Information of the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Davlat Nazriev, and the Head of the UN Office for Peace Building (UNTOP), Valdemar Rokashevski, Ambassador Gilbert reiterated that the OSCE Mission is ready to support the Tajik authorities in implementing their decision.
"If citizens meet difficulties, let them come to the OSCE. We shall help." he said.
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan by a Decree of 3 August, repealed Article 8 of the "Regulation on Travel Passports for the Citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan of 26 February 1998", which required a compulsory exit permit in foreign passports.
The revised Article 6 of the Decree also simplifies the procedure for issuing foreign passports.
The OSCE Head of Mission noted that the decision followed two other major recent steps by Tajik Authorities to build a more democratic society: the decision for the first time to grant three independent radio stations a broadcasting licence in the capital Dushanbe and the transfer of the prison system from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Justice.