Photo: The Presidential Office of Kazakhstan
Philippe and Mathilde met the children in Astana after the state ceremony
Helicopters flew over Astana carrying the Belgian and Kazakh flags during the welcome ceremony. Later in the day President Tokayev took the royal couple to a rehabilitation centre for children.
The first day of the Belgian state visit to Kazakhstan began with full ceremony outside the Akorda Presidential Palace in Astana on Monday. As King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stood on the steps, helicopters flew in over the city carrying the Belgian and Kazakh flags beneath them.
The corridor between Asia and Europe
After the opening talks the two delegations met for expanded negotiations, before the King and the President issued a joint statement and held a press briefing.
The statement points in particular to the Middle Corridor, the transport route across the Caspian Sea linking Asia and Europe without passing through Russia. Both countries consider it increasingly important.
The statement also covers cooperation on artificial intelligence, big data, cloud technology, supercomputing and data centres, and closer ties in education and culture. Belgian companies have had a presence in Kazakhstan for many years, and the two sides believe trade and investment can grow considerably.
The boy in the orange suit
Later in the day President Tokayev took the royal couple to the National Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Astana.
There they heard about the care provided to children with developmental disabilities, and spoke with children, parents and medical staff. Queen Mathilde held the hand of a boy walking in an orange training suit, while the King crouched down beside them.
The state visit runs until 14 October. The royal couple will travel on to Almaty, the country's largest city, before returning home. It is the first Belgian state visit ever to Central Asia.