On January 23, 2020, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Dilyor Khakimov met with the new President of the Belgian Senate Sabine Laruelle, in Brussels.

At the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for expanding them. Issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue were also considered, the MFA said.

Sabine Laruelle noted that Brussels highly appreciates the nature and content of large-scale reforms carried out at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, his open policy.

The President of the Senate expressed the hope that during the upcoming visit to Brussels, the head of Uzbekistan will visit the Belgian Senate, which will contribute to the expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation. In this context, she welcomed the successful holding of parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan on December 22 last year based on universally recognized democratic principles.

The Belgian side supported the proposal to pay more attention to issues of trade-economic cooperation between the parties, in particular between the regions of Belgium and Uzbekistan, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.

Also, one of the key areas for the development of relations should be tourism and an increase in the number of Belgian travelers in Uzbekistan. Sabine Laruelle also praised the abolition of the visa regime for citizens of the EU countries.

The Senate President expressed great interest in the efforts of Uzbekistan to overcome the consequences of the Aral Sea tragedy. In this regard, she noted that she would take all necessary measures to achieve Belgium’s involvement in efforts to internationally support the UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund.