Belgian Ambassador Geert Criel sketched out on Tuesday the excellent bilateral ties binding Belgium and Saudi Arabia, adding that the friendship goes a long time back.

Ever since both countries established diplomatic relations, there have been regular bilateral visits between Saudi Arabia and Belgium. “An early highlight in the relations were the state visit of H.M. King Faisal to Belgium in 1967 and the state visit of H.M. King Baudouin to Saudi Arabia a few years later.” said Criel during an interview at the Belgian Embassy inside the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ).

Since then regular economic missions, led by Members of the Belgian Royal Family, were organized to Saudi Arabia. Only last year, H.R.H. Princess Astrid headed an economic mission to Saudi Arabia, with more than 300 participants.

Also at the political level, regular contacts between the governments of both countries take place, in Riyadh, Brussels or in the margin of international meetings. It is important to exchange views on major issues, such as the fight against terrorism, trade issues or political cooperation in the region and beyond.

He said that during his stay in the Kingdom one of his goals is to increase the number of Saudis in various Belgian academic institutions, studying either on their own or under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program.

“There are only about a hundred Saudi students in various Belgian colleges and universities, many of them pursuing medical studies or taking up graduate courses in management or engineering,” he said. “This is not enough, considering the high quality of university education in Belgium”.

“These students come back to Saudi Arabia as ambassadors of Belgium, assisting me greatly in my job”, laughed Ambassador Criel.

According to the Ambassador, language might be a barrier, since most Saudi students prefer to study in English. “But we are now proposing specific language solutions and courses to prospective students”, he added.

He said that the embassy issues an average of 2,800 visas per year to students, business people and tourists. “The number of visitors from Saudi Arabia is much higher, though”. Many tourists obtain their visas from other Schengen countries.

“I am happy to note that we have a high rate of returning visitors, indicating that Saudis enjoy spending more time in Belgium once they discover the country”, he said.

He added that, apart from historic cities such as Bruges, Mons or Brussels, a popular reason for Saudis to visit Belgium is festival tourism. Belgium is noted for a number of top festivals that take place all year round. “Tomorrowland, one of the largest electronic music festivals held in the world, seems to attract quite some visitors -young and old- from Saudi Arabia during the summer months”.

Regarding bilateral trade, he said that it exceeded €4 billion last year, up 10 percent from the previous year. “Our exports of goods and services to the Kingdom crossed € 2 billion. Important products are pharmaceutical products, especially vaccines, and machinery, among others,” he said. Belgium imports mainly petrochemical products from Saudi Arabia.

The economic relationship between Belgium and Saudi Arabia has broadened and deepened substantially in the past years. “We have become partners, not only in trade, but also in investments, in both directions”, concluded Ambassador Criel.