Kazakhstan has denied media reports alleging that the country is conducting negotiations with the European Union on the placement of migrants from third countries on Kazakh territory.

“The Kazakh side has not entered into negotiations with the European Union or its member states on the establishment of centres in Kazakhstan for the reception, detention, transit, or accommodation of persons who are not citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and who are subject to return or deportation from European countries,” the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said, The Caspian Post reports, citing Interfax.

The ministry further stressed that matters concerning visa facilitation for Kazakh citizens and readmission agreements are legally separate issues.

It added that “any potential discussions on visa liberalisation with the European Union cannot be regarded as grounds for assuming obligations to host on Kazakhstan’s territory individuals who are not citizens of the republic.”