Sergey Lavrov made a statement regarding the tightening of migration controls with Central Asian countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, made a statement regarding the tightening of entry rules for labor migrants from neighboring countries. The speech took place during a government hour in the State Duma. According to the head of the foreign policy department, the introduction of a visa regime for this category of individuals does not align with the strategic interests of the state.

In his report, Lavrov emphasized that Russia is interested in maintaining the current border crossing order for labor migrants, primarily from Central Asian countries, the Caucasus, and other republics that were once part of the Soviet Union. The minister noted that any actions aimed at complicating entry procedures could negatively impact long-term cooperation with these countries. At the same time, he stressed the importance of enhancing control over migrants' compliance with established norms and rules for staying in the country.

Commenting on the situation, Lavrov indicated that tightening migration policy should not create artificial barriers in relations with countries that are Russia's closest allies. He explained that it is about maintaining a balance between ensuring security and fostering friendly ties with partners. The minister also drew attention to the provisions of key documents of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes several post-Soviet countries. According to these documents, citizens of member states have equal rights within the union, which implies the free movement of labor without additional obstacles.

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, control over the behavior of labor migrants indeed needs to be strengthened; however, this should be done without using radical measures, such as introducing visa restrictions. Lavrov expressed confidence that this approach will help maintain stability in interstate relations while ensuring compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. He also noted that Russia will continue to shape its migration policy considering the interests of both its own state and partner countries.

The minister's statement came in the context of discussions in the State Duma regarding the regulation of migration flows. The topic remains relevant against the backdrop of an increasing number of labor migrants arriving in Russia to work in various sectors of the economy. Lavrov's speech served as another confirmation of the country's leadership's position on this matter.