BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. Kazakhstan has
proposed considering the establishment of sister-city relations
between the Belgian city of Visé and cities in Kazakhstan, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said.


According to the Ministry, the proposal was made during a
meeting between Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Belgium, Roman
Vassilenko, and Acting Mayor of Visé, Francis Thönissen, as part of
Vassilenko's visit to the Wallonia region.


The sides discussed the development of direct municipal ties,
cultural and sports exchanges, as well as historical links between
the Visé-Liège region and Kazakh cycling.


"The Kazakh side proposed considering the establishment of
sister-city relations between Visé and cities in Kazakhstan, taking
into account the industrial character of the cities and prospects
for cooperation in urban transformation, industrial heritage,
education, culture and sports", the ministry said.


The possibility of holding a cycling event in 2027 to mark the
35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Kazakhstan and Belgium was also discussed.


According to the ministry, Visé has a special place in the
history of cycling. In 2012, the city was the starting point of the
Tour de France stage from Visé to Tournai, while the Liège-Visé
region has for many years been associated with the training of
professional Kazakh cyclists.







As part of his visit to Wallonia, Vassilenko also held a meeting
in Herstal with FN Browning Group Director of Sustainability and
Government Relations Mathieu Ryckewaert and Mayor
Frederic Daerden. During the meeting, the ambassador was briefed on
the company's history and technological solutions.


Following the visit, the sides confirmed their interest in
continuing practical dialogue, with a focus on specific industrial,
energy, municipal and humanitarian projects.


Wallonia is one of Belgium's three regions, comprising five
provinces and having a population of about 3.71 million. In 2024,
the region's GDP amounted to about 144 billion euros, or around 23%
of Belgium's GDP, and is projected to reach 155 billion euros in
2026.


Wallonia's economy specializes in industry, metallurgy,
mechanical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy and
logistics. Liège Province, where Herstal, Seraing and Visé are
located, is one of the region's major industrial and logistics
centers, with strong positions in metallurgy, mechanical
engineering, defense, energy and high technologies, including John
Cockerill and FN Browning Group.