Brussels:The Belgian federal government's core Cabinet encountered a dispute concerning the issuance of visas to 13 Palestinian students who received scholarships to study at Belgian universities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Cabinet's meeting focused on budgetary measures when the issue of granting visas to the Palestinian students from Gaza emerged as a contentious topic. A compromise had been previously reached by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt. However, the French-speaking liberal MR party was the sole political entity to reject this compromise.

The agreement stipulated that the students would not use their presence in Belgium as a basis to seek asylum or apply for family reunification. Additionally, it proposed the formation of a task force led by Van Bossuyt to enhance the procedures for returning individuals who are residing illegally in Belgium.

Prevot expressed his willingness to discuss and support proposals that were deemed effective, proportionate, and lawful. He noted in a press release seen by Belga that MR's blockage of the deal amounted to 'blackmail' and was politically regrettable.

Prevot emphasized the situation's gravity, indicating that the obstruction was a 'human disgrace' and stressing that the future of these 13 students should not be leveraged as a bargaining tool in migration negotiations. He conveyed his deep disappointment for the students affected by the impasse.