Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has proposed stepping up efforts to introduce a single tourist visa that would allow foreign visitors to travel across Central Asian countries.

Japarov made the proposal during the Informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, Sputnik Kazakhstan reports.

The Kyrgyz president highlighted the region’s shared history, cultural ties and traditions, saying these connections provide a strong foundation for expanding tourism cooperation.

Japarov said that Central Asia and Azerbaijan have significant potential to attract international travelers with their ancient cities, landmarks along the Great Silk Road, mountain and lake landscapes, national traditions and diverse cultures.

“Kyrgyzstan has put forward an initiative to introduce a single tourist visa for foreign citizens wishing to visit the countries of Central Asia,” Japarov said.

He thanked the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for supporting the initiative and expressed hope that other regional leaders would also back the proposal.

Japarov suggested tasking the foreign ministries of the participating countries with intensifying consultations and developing coordinated positions on the introduction of the unified visa.