President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron held talks at the Elysee Palace.
The heads of state discussed in tete-a-tete format and with the participation of delegations the issues of further developing and strengthening Uzbek-French multifaceted relations.
The practical implementation of the agreements reached during the previous summit of the leaders of the two countries in Samarkand in November 2023 was noted with satisfaction.
Active contacts at various levels continue. The trade turnover last year for the first time exceeded 1 billion euros, the number of joint ventures has increased 4 times.
Such French business leaders as Orano, EDF, Total, SUEZ, Voltalia, Veolia and many others are successfully working in our country. Cooperation with the French Development Agency has gained a new quality, and a new Cooperation Program is being adopted.
As part of the preparations for the visit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and the MEDEF business mission were fruitfully held, and the Business Chamber began its work.
These days there are joint events in Paris, Toulouse, Lyon and Nice with active participation of the regions. The day before, joint medical forum and conference on science and education, presentations of tourism potential and culture of Uzbekistan were held. A bust of the great scientist Abu Rayhon Beruni was unveiled in the city of Gretz-Armainvilliers.
Priority attention is given to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economic, investment and financial spheres, promotion of cooperation projects with leading companies and enterprises of France.
A new Program of Innovative and Industrial Partnership has been prepared for this summit. It is envisaged to promote joint projects in the field of mining and processing of critical minerals, energy, infrastructure development, transportation and other sectors for the amount of 6.5 billion euros.
Overall, the portfolio of joint projects exceeds 12 billion euros.
In this context, the importance of expanding financial support instruments was emphasized.
In order to promote the establishment of long-term cooperative ties, the Head of our state proposed to create an Uzbek-French Investment Council and hold its first meeting on the margins of the Tashkent Investment Forum in June this year.
To stimulate interregional contacts, the two leaders agreed to hold the first Forum of Regions of the two countries in Samarkand next year.
The leaders attached special importance to enhancing practical cooperation in the humanitarian dimension. Plans to organize an exhibition of avant-garde art from the Savitsky Museum collection in Paris, open a representative office of the French Heritage Institute in our country for partnership in the field of preservation and restoration of cultural monuments were supported.
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 sides will consider the issue of increasing the frequency of direct flights.
The heads of state also exchanged views on the current international and regional agenda. The sides stressed the importance of continuing mutual support within the framework of multilateral organizations, joining efforts in combating terrorism, extremism, radicalism, cybercrime and other modern security challenges.
In order to establish a systemic dialogue and “synchronize the clock” it was agreed to create a Strategic Planning Group headed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs with the involvement of economic agencies.
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 pay a return visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time.