Brussels:The Belgian federal government's core Cabinet encountered a disagreement concerning the issuance of visas to 13 Palestinian scholarship students. The issue arose during a meeting on budgetary measures.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussion focused on whether the students from Gaza, who have received scholarships to study at Belgian universities, should be granted visas. The French-speaking liberal MR party was reportedly the only political faction to oppose a compromise that had been reached by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

The proposed compromise allowed for the granting of visas with the condition that students could not use their stay in Belgium to seek asylum or apply for family reunification. Additionally, it proposed the formation of a task force led by Van Bossuyt to enhance procedures for returning individuals residing illegally in the country.

Prevot expressed his willingness to consider proposals under this framework, indicating support for effective, proportionate, and lawful measures. However, he noted that the core Cabinet needed to approve the deal, criticizing MR for blocking it and calling their actions 'blackmail.'

Prevot emphasized that the situation involved 13 young individuals awarded scholarships to study, stressing that their future should not become a 'bargaining chip' in migration talks. He expressed regret over the political stalemate, stating he was saddened for the students involved.