Leaders of Uzbekistan and France raised bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership

The Elysee Palace hosted talks between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, the press service of the head of our state reports.

The heads of state discussed in detail the further development and strengthening of Uzbek-French multifaceted relations in a tete-a-tete format and with the participation of delegations.

The practical implementation of the agreements reached during the previous summit of the leaders of the two countries in the city of Samarkand in November 2023 was noted with satisfaction.

Active contacts at various levels continue. Last year, trade turnover exceeded 1 billion euros for the first time, and the number of joint ventures increased 4-fold.

Such French business leaders as Orano, EDF, Total, SUEZ, Voltalia, Veolia and many others are successfully operating in our country. Cooperation with the French Development Agency has acquired a new quality, with which a new Cooperation Program is being adopted.

In preparation for the visit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and the MEDEF business mission were fruitful, and the Business Chamber began its work.

These days, joint events are taking place in Paris, Toulouse, Lyon and Nice with the active participation of the regions. The day before, a joint medical forum and conference on science and education, presentations of the tourism potential and culture of Uzbekistan were held. A bust of the great scientist Abu Rayhon Beruni was unveiled in the city of Gretz-Armenville.

Priority attention is paid to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade, economic, investment and financial spheres, promoting cooperation projects with leading companies and enterprises of France.

A new Program of Innovation and Industrial Partnership has been prepared for the current summit. It is envisaged to promote joint projects in the field of extraction and processing of critical mineral raw materials, energy, infrastructure development, transport and other sectors worth 6.5 billion euros.

In general, the portfolio of joint projects exceeds 12 billion euros.

In this context, the importance of expanding financial support instruments was emphasized.

In order to facilitate the establishment of long-term cooperation ties, the head of our state proposed creating an Uzbek-French Investment Council and holding its first meeting on the sidelines of the Tashkent Investment Forum in June this year.

To stimulate interregional contacts, an agreement was reached to hold the first Forum of Regions of the two countries in Samarkand next year.

The leaders attached particular importance to increasing practical cooperation in the humanitarian dimension. They supported plans to organize an exhibition of avant-garde art from the Savitsky Museum collection in Paris, and to open a representative office of the French Heritage Institute in our country for partnership in the field of preservation and restoration of cultural monuments.

The main agreement in the field of education was the opening of the Uzbek-French University in Tashkent this year with the involvement of experienced specialists from France. Productive cooperation in the field of training French language teachers will also be continued.

In order to intensify business, tourism and cultural exchanges, the parties will consider increasing the frequency of direct flights.

The heads of state also exchanged views on the current international and regional agenda. The importance of continuing mutual support within the framework of multilateral organizations, combining efforts in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalism, cybercrime and other modern security challenges was emphasized.

In order to establish a systemic dialogue and ‘synchronize watches’, it was agreed to create a Strategic Planning Group at the head of the ministries of foreign affairs with the involvement of economic departments.

Following the talks, the heads of state made a historic decision to establish strategic partnership relations between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited President Emmanuel Macron to visit Uzbekistan on a return visit at a convenient time.