King Filip and Queen Mathilde have arrived in Kazakhstan. This is the first time the Belgian royal couple has made a state visit to Central Asia. King Filip and Queen Mathilde were officially welcomed at the presidential palace in the Kazakh capital, Astana, this morning. Belgium wants to cooperate more closely with Kazakhstan in the economic, technological and scientific fields.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially welcomed King Filip and Queen Mathilde to the presidential palace in Astana at 11.00 local time (8.00 in Belgium) this morning. During the ceremony, the national anthems of both countries were played and helicopters flying the Belgian and Kazakh flags flew over the palace.
Several Belgian politicians including Flemish Culture Minister Cieltje Van Achter (Flemish nationalist) and Brussels PM Brussels Boris Dilliès (Francophone liberal) were also present during the reception ceremony. Kazakhstan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dinara Zakieva and Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko, amongst others.
Following the ceremony, a private meeting took place between the President and the royal couple. In the afternoon, the programme takes King Filip and Queen Mathilde to the National Rehabilitation Centre for Children. A state banquet follows in the evening.
Belgium hopes the visit will strengthen its presence in Central Asia. Belgium regards Kazakhstan as a key partner in the fields of trade, critical minerals and new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Several cooperation agreements will be signed during the visit.