Belgium has introduced a new design for passports and since 7 February, Belgian comic book characters will appear on passport pages, RTBF reported.

The passports will depict Tintin, a hero created by the Belgian artist Hergé, as well as Smurfs, Largo Winch and many other characters. According to Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes, the design chosen was one that represents country, its art and culture, with a touch of talent, experience, humility and humor.

The new passport issued by the Belgian authorities will be one of the safest and most fraud-proof in the world. The documents have twice as many security features as the old passports. The images of comic book characters painted on the pages also have security elements.

In the regular version, the new passport contains 34 pages. There is a version for "frequent travelers" - it has 66 pages. In Belgium plastic cards perform the function of traditional identity documents.