Belgium plans to open an Embassy in Tashkent

The Kingdom of Belgium is planning to open an embassy in Tashkent. The announcement was made today, 14 November, by the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxim Prevot.

According to him, Central Asia offers significant strategic opportunities, particularly through the development of the Trans-Caspian route, known as the “New Silk Road.”

“This is a rapidly expanding region where Belgium must strengthen its presence. It is also a high-potential area located in a key geopolitical zone bordering China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran and Afghanistan,” Prevot stated.

He noted that Central Asia represents a “strategic investment in the future of a region that will undergo a major development surge in the coming decade.” Several foreign countries, he added, already recognize this and are investing heavily in the region.

For this reason, Belgium intends to open an embassy in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent.

For reference, diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Belgium were established on 10 March 1992. Uzbekistan opened its first embassy in Belgium in June 1995. Until now, Kazakhstan’s Astana was the only city in Central Asia to host a Belgian embassy. A Belgian honorary consulate currently operates in Tashkent.

It is worth noting that at the end of October this year, during an official visit to Brussels, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with King Philippe at the Laeken Palace. The meeting focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as an exchange of views on international and regional issues.