The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan demonstrates the desire to maintain the country's influence in the region, alongside players such as the European Union and the United States, AFP reports.
"Our task is to continue to be present in this region, which we know well and have been working in for a long time with the European Union and our American partners," said a source cited by the French agency.
AFP suggests that due to the military conflict with Ukraine, Russia's influence in Central Asia is weakening. At the same time, the US, EU, China, and Turkey are attempting to gain the region's attention.
In this context, the President of France will bring a delegation to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, including ministers of industry and trade, as well as representatives from major businesses.
In the first nine months of 2023, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and France reached $658.8 million, which is 2.8 times higher than the previous year.
The two countries also established a joint business club in 2017, which aims to improve relations and promote business activities between Tashkent and Paris.
Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited France twice, in 2018 and 2022. During his latest visit, more than ten agreements were signed, totaling over 6 billion euros.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 30, 2023