Belgium to Open Embassy in Uzbekistan

Belgium has announced plans to expand its diplomatic presence in Central Asia by opening its first-ever embassy in Tashkent. The decision is part of a major reform of the country’s foreign policy network, Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

According to the ministry, Central Asia is viewed as a strategically important region, particularly in light of the development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor — the so-called «new Silk Road.»

The ministry emphasizes that Central Asia is already attracting significant foreign investment, and Belgium intends to strengthen its presence in order not to fall behind global trends.

In addition to Tashkent, Belgium will open new diplomatic missions in Tirana (Albania), Windhoek (Namibia), and Muscat (Oman), and will appoint a permanent representative to the African Union in Addis Ababa.

At the same time, the country has decided to close eight missions: embassies in Sarajevo, Conakry, Bamako, and Kuwait, a diplomatic office in Mozambique, as well as consulates in Havana, Rio de Janeiro, and Guangzhou.