Presidents of Uzbekistan and France, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emmanuel Macron, made a "historic decision" during negotiations at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Wednesday to establish strategic partnership relations between their countries, reports Gazeta.uz.
To ensure a systematic dialogue and "synchronize positions," it was agreed to create a Strategic Planning Group led by the foreign ministries, with the involvement of economic agencies.
"The heads of state, in a one-on-one format and with the participation of delegations, thoroughly discussed the issues of further development and strengthening of multifaceted Uzbek-French relations," the statement said.
They welcomed the implementation of agreements reached during the previous summit in Samarkand in November 2023. Active contacts have been established between the two countries at various levels. Last year, bilateral trade turnover exceeded €1 billion for the first time, and the number of joint ventures quadrupled.
Priority was given to expanding cooperation in trade, economic, investment, and financial sectors, as well as promoting joint projects with leading French companies and enterprises.
Ahead of the visit, meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the MEDEF business mission took place, and the Business Chamber began its work. A new Cooperation Program is being developed with the French Development Agency.
A new Program for Innovation and Industrial Partnership was prepared for the summit. It includes joint projects in the extraction and processing of critical mineral resources, energy, infrastructure development, transportation, and other sectors, amounting to €6.5 billion.
Overall, the portfolio of joint projects exceeds €12 billion.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed establishing 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 the Regions of the two countries in Samarkand next year.
The presidents supported plans to organize an exhibition in Paris featuring avant-garde works from the collection of the Igor Savitsky Museum in Nukus, as well as to open a representative office of the French Heritage Institute in Uzbekistan for cooperation in the preservation and restoration of cultural monuments.
The key agreement in the field of education was the opening of the Uzbek-French University in Tashkent this year, with the involvement of specialists from France. Cooperation in training French language teachers will also continue.
To enhance business, tourism, and cultural exchanges, the parties will consider increasing the frequency of direct flights.
The heads of state also exchanged views on international and regional agendas. They emphasized the importance of continuing mutual support within multilateral organizations and uniting efforts in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalism, cybercrime, and other modern security challenges.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 13, 2025