Belgium to open embassy in Tashkent

Belgium will open a permanent diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan, Eureporter reported.

According to the report, cooperation between the two countries has intensified significantly in recent years. A number of joint projects are being implemented in trade, investment, logistics, industry, education and tourism. Interparliamentary dialogue and government-level meetings have also been held regularly.

Experts say Belgium’s decision to open an embassy in Tashkent reflects Uzbekistan’s growing political and economic importance in Central Asia. The new diplomatic mission is expected to strengthen political dialogue between the two countries, increase trade turnover and help attract new investment projects.

According to open-source data, trade between Uzbekistan and Belgium has grown severalfold in recent years. A number of companies with Belgian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while major firms in the textile, logistics and industrial sectors have expanded cooperation.

Observers say the opening of the Belgian embassy in Tashkent will not only strengthen bilateral relations but also serve as another sign of growing European interest in Central Asia.

For reference, Belgium recognized Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations were established in 1992. Since 1995, Uzbekistan has cooperated with Belgium and European Union institutions through its embassy in Brussels. Until now, Belgium’s relations with Uzbekistan had mainly been coordinated through its embassy in Astana.

Bilateral trade increased from $70 million in 2020 to $212.7 million in 2024. Uzbekistan mainly exports industrial goods, food products and chemical products, while importing machinery, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals and technological components from Belgium.