AKIPRESS.COM - Belarus and Uzbekistan have plans to step up cooperation in tourism, BelTA reports.

The matter was discussed at a working meeting between Sports and Tourism Minister of Belarus Sergei Kovalchuk and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Belarus Nasirjan Yusupov.

The parties agreed that it is necessary to intensify contacts in this field; after all, both countries boast a variety of tourist attractions, historical sites, natural beauty and a diversity of tourist services. To do that, the two countries need to improve information exchange.

With this in mind, press trips for media representatives and travel agencies of the two countries will be held in the nearest future.

Sergei Kovalchuk noted that the respective ministries of Belarus and Uzbekistan should expand bilateral contacts. “There are several sports where Belarusian athletes traditionally show great results, like rowing and canoeing, all kinds of martial arts, weightlifting, shooting sports, rhythmic gymnastics, tennis and other sports. We know that Uzbekistan is famous for great coaches in boxing, judo, freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. We are glad that at the recent FIDE World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2018 in Minsk young chess players from Uzbekistan won the first prize. We could forge closer mutually beneficial contacts, hold joint seminars, involve top experts, arrange master classes and sparring sessions,” he said.

“Our countries and nations have a lot in common: they share history and views on the world order; the leaders of the two countries enjoy great relations. Nevertheless, it is high time we strengthen contacts at all levels and in all fields, including sports and tourism,” Nasirjan Yusupov said. In his view, Belarus and Uzbekistan are able and willing to share best practices: both countries have a lot of highly qualified coaches, good sports infrastructure and close ties between individual federations and clubs. Now the two countries need to make the contacts more systemic, the ambassador believes.

The parties discussed a possibility to intensify contacts between specific universities and participation in international tourist expos in Belarus and Uzbekistan.