Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Ambassador of Uzbekistan in the Benelux countries Dilyor Khakimov held a meeting with a delegation of the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA) led by its Secretary General Michel de Blust.

ECTAA was founded in 1961 by the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 6 founding Member States of the Common Market. ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 27 EU Member States, of 2 EU accession countries as well Switzerland and Norway, and 3 international Members.

As the Secretary General of the most influential structure in the European tourism industry noted, the Association is interested in developing international cooperation with Uzbekistan, which today is becoming one of the most attractive areas in the world of tourism industry.

At the meeting, the parties highly appreciated the recent decisions of the Government of Uzbekistan on introduction of a visa-free regime for citizens of the European Union. ECTAA Secretary General emphasized that these decisions, coupled with the unprecedented potential of historical and cultural sites, natural and geographical diversity, will have a significant impact on the structure of tourist flow from EU countries.

Taking into account the ongoing fundamental changes in tourism industry of Uzbekistan, the leadership of the organization is ready to hold a session of the Association’s General Assembly in November this year in Uzbekistan.

In this regard, the parties agreed that the European side will submit a draft Agreement in order to conduct thorough preparations for the event.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the document will reflect specific steps that will be taken before the General Assembly session in Uzbekistan.