Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomes King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Astana airport

On 11 October, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally welcomed King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians at Astana airport as the royal couple arrived in Kazakhstan on a state visit, the Akorda press service reports.

From the moment it crossed the Kazakh border until it reached the capital, the plane carrying the royal guests was escorted by fighter jets of the Kazakh Air Force. A welcome ceremony with an honour guard company and the presidential band was held on the airfield, followed by a short conversation between the President and his guests in the arrivals hall.

The Head of State stressed the historic significance of the visit for Kazakh-Belgian relations. “Kazakhstan is very glad to host your visit,” Tokayev said, adding that the visit would give a powerful impetus to bilateral relations.

King Philippe thanked the President for the warm welcome, which, in his words, began “right at the aircraft steps”, and expressed confidence that the upcoming talks would be successful. The royal couple will spend three full days in Kazakhstan.

As Kazakhstan Today reported earlier, the programme of the visit covers Astana and Almaty and includes the 4th session of the Kazakhstan-Belgium Business Council. The King is accompanied by a delegation of more than a hundred people: heads of Belgian companies, university representatives and government officials.