Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel Eduard Shapiro.

Aziz Abdukhakimov informed the interlocutor in detail about the decisions of the head of state and government of the republic to prevent the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and measures to mitigate its socio-economic consequences in various sectors of the national economy.

The unprecedented targeted support of all subjects of tourism activities in the form of various benefits and financial incentives, which are provided for by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyoyev of 28 May 2020, was emphasized. "On urgent measures to support the tourism sector to reduce the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic." The Israeli side was also acquainted with the new system of sanitary and epidemiological safety for tourists “Uzbekistan. Safe travel Guaranteed. "

It was noted that the main goal of the new system is to provide a comfortable stay for tourists with an increased level of ensuring their safety. It is emphasized that the system includes not only modern solutions of medicine and sanitation, but also the achievements of the great scientist Abu Ali ibn Sina, who is the founder of epidemiology and the first to introduce a quarantine system against a pandemic.

It was reported that by decision of the Special Republican Commission, since 15 June Uzbekistan resumes flights with countries where there is an improvement in the situation with coronavirus. At the same time, Israel is included in the group of countries with a stable sanitary and epidemiological situation, from where “green flights” will be organized and their passengers are not quarantined upon arrival in Uzbekistan.

Aziz Abdukhakimov confirmed the willingness of the Uzbek side to begin work on restoring bilateral tourism exchange, to ensure maximum comfort and security for Israeli tourists in the event of resumption of international travel between the two countries. In turn, Eduard Shapira expressed gratitude for such a friendly approach of the Uzbek leadership to the State of Israel and Israeli tourists.

According to the ambassador, the Israeli side very much appreciates that among the first countries in relation to Israeli citizens a visa-free regime for entering Uzbekistan in February 2018 was introduced, which led to a significant increase in the number of Israeli tourists in Uzbekistan in a short time.

He noted that the Embassy of Israel is interested and ready to take all necessary measures to restore the level of tourist flow before the pandemic. Taking into account the favorable situation in Uzbekistan in controlling the pandemic, Eduard Shapira proposed to begin as soon as possible the negotiation process between the aviation authorities of the two countries to resume air communication, to quickly work out organizational issues and measures to ensure passenger safety.

The sides emphasized that the Embassy and the Ministry of Tourism of Israel are ready to provide all possible assistance so that Uzbekistan is among the first to receive Israeli tourists. The diplomat conveyed the request of the Israeli side to assist in organizing the first flight from Tashkent to Tel Aviv on June 25 this year. The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to consider this issue as soon as possible and offered to give access to the Tel Aviv-Tashkent flight on commercial basis for Israeli citizens who plan to visit Uzbekistan as tourists.

Following the meeting, the Uzbek side reaffirmed its interest in implementing joint projects in the tourism industry and its willingness to assist in other areas of bilateral cooperation.