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Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Committee Aziz Abdukhakimov met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel Eduard Shapira at the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development.

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
on various sectors of the national economy. The unprecedented targeted support of all subjects of tourism activity in the form of various benefits and financial incentives, which are provided for by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyoyev of May 28, 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 familiarized with the new system of sanitary and epidemiological security 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 was emphasized that the system includes not only modern medicine and sanitation solutions, but also the achievements of the great scientist Abu Ali ibn Sina, who is the founder of epidemiology and was the first to introduce a quarantine system against a pandemic.

It was reported that by the decision of the Special Republican Commission, from June 15 of this year. 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 readiness of the Uzbek side to begin work on the restoration of bilateral tourist exchange, to ensure maximum comfort and safety for Israeli tourists in the event of resumption of international travel between the two countries.

In turn, Eduard Shapira expressed gratitude for such a benevolent approach of the Government of Uzbekistan to the State of Israel and Israeli tourists. According to the ambassador, the Israeli side highly appreciates that among the first countries a visa-free regime was introduced for Israeli citizens in February 2018, which led to a significant increase in the number of Israeli tourists to Uzbekistan in a short time. He noted that the Israeli Embassy 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 for the control of the pandemic, Eduard Shapira suggested as soon as possible to start a negotiation process between the aviation authorities of the two countries on the resumption of air traffic, to quickly work out organizational issues and measures to ensure the safety of passengers. The interlocutor 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 flight on the route "Tel Aviv - Tashkent" on a commercial basis for Israeli citizens who plan to visit Uzbekistan as tourists.

Following the meeting, the Uzbek side once again confirmed its interest in the implementation of joint projects in the tourism industry and readiness to provide assistance in other areas of bilateral cooperation.

Source: uzbektourism.uz