The Holy See and the Republic of Kazakhstan sign a bilateral agreement in order to strengthen bonds of collaboration by facilitating the granting of visas for Church personnel coming from abroad to work among the Kazakh faithful.
By Vatican News staff reporter
On Wednesday, 14 September, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the capital Nur-Sultan, an Agreement was signed between the Holy See and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
A statement from the Holy See Press Office said that the agreement was signed on behalf of the Holy See by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States, while Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed for Kazakhstan.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ visit to Kazakhstan for the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, taking place in Nur-Sultan from 13–15 September.
Visa facilitation for ecclesiastical personnel
The new Agreement aims to implement art. 2 of the 1998 bilateral agreement, facilitating the granting of visas and residence permits to ecclesiastical and religious personnel coming from abroad and engaged in the pastoral care of the Catholic faithful in Kazakhstan.
“Consisting of a preamble and 8 paragraphs, the document further consolidates the bonds of friendship and collaboration that already exist between the two Parties,” read the statement.
The Agreement will enter into force after the exchange of the instruments of ratification.
