On December 23, 2025, an important meeting aimed at strengthening consular cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The Uzbek delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olim Abdullayev, while the Saudi side was represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs, Ihab bin Muhammad Al-Najjar.
This event marked the first round of consular consultations between the two nations. During the negotiations, special attention was given to the protection of citizens' rights and lawful interests. In particular, the necessity of improving mechanisms for promptly notifying each other of situations involving detention, temporary custody, or potential deportation was emphasized.
Furthermore, agreements were reached on deepening cooperation in the field of labor migration, mutual recognition of documents, introducing the apostille system, and exchanging experiences on digitizing migration and consular services. These measures aim to simplify administrative processes for citizens of both countries.
Another significant development is the agreement to implement in Uzbekistan a new digital platform currently being developed in Saudi Arabia for foreign nationals. This platform will enable the preemptive identification and efficient resolution of issues faced by citizens abroad.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to hold the second round of consular consultations in Tashkent. This reflects the steadily developing relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, with practical cooperation advancing to a new level.
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