Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry Expresses Concern Over Reported U.S. Visa Restrictions

Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan has expressed serious concern over recent media reports suggesting that the United States may impose partial visa restrictions on Turkmen citizens.

In an official statement released Tuesday, the ministry conveyed that such a move would cause “extreme misunderstanding” and does not correspond to the spirit of constructive bilateral cooperation between Ashgabat and Washington.

“Turkmenistan, possessing the internationally recognized status of permanent neutrality, strictly adheres to all international migration norms and regulations,” the statement read. The ministry highlighted the country’s active implementation of United Nations conventions and its acknowledged leadership in addressing issues related to refugees and stateless individuals.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that restrictive visa measures are generally directed at individuals who violate the laws of host countries. In contrast, Turkmen citizens traveling abroad, including to the United States, reportedly maintain a strong record of legal compliance and respect for host nation regulations.

“We view this decision as hasty and not reflective of the positive dynamics in Turkmen-American relations, including ongoing cooperation in the field of migration policy,” the statement concluded.

The Ministry called for a constructive dialogue to resolve the matter in line with the principles of mutual respect and partnership that underpin relations between the two countries.