TASHKENT, March 11. /Dunyo IA/. On the eve of the official state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to France, Sharif Akhmedov, Chief researcher at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), shared his insights with Dunyo IA on the current state and future prospects of Uzbek-French relations:

– Within the framework of foreign policy, Uzbekistan is actively developing partnerships with European states, considering them as important strategic partners for the implementation of projects in the field of economics, politics and humanitarian initiatives. France, which plays a key role in Europe, has a special place in this process. The interaction of the two states is characterized by an active political and diplomatic dialogue, as well as wide possibilities for the development of trade and investment cooperation and strengthening the exchange in the educational and scientific fields.

Historical roots of bilateral contacts of Uzbekistan and France dates back to the beginning of the XIV century, when the military genius and the founder of the Timurid Empire Amir Temur and King Charles VI laid the foundations of partnership, striving for free trade. The correspondence preserved in the archives of both sides indicates the desire of leaders to strengthen political relations. Amir Temur, supporting the eastern policy of Charles VI, emphasized the importance of developing commercial ties and mutual support of merchants, noting: "The world is flourishing thanks to merchants".

This mutual desire for friendship, solidarity and economic cooperation has survived through the centuries. After gaining independence of Uzbekistan, these relations received a new impulse, which was implemented in the establishment of multifaceted ties with France.

The historical roots of interaction laid a strong foundation for a modern dialogue, which acquired a special dynamic with the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the Head of State.

It is noteworthy that the leader of Uzbekistan made his first European visit to France. This diplomatic step opened a new page in the history of relations, crowned by the signing of a number of important intergovernmental agreements.

Today, both sides show openness and pragmatism, actively collaborate in the development of political dialogue, trade, economic, investment, energy, technological, cultural, and humanitarian areas. Such a comprehensive approach based on a common historical heritage emphasizes the desire for mutually beneficial partnership to address modern challenges.

While six mutual state visits have been held over 34 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, half of them have occurred within the last 7 years by the current leaders. Two visits by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Paris in 2018 and 2022 and the return visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Tashkent in 2023 marked this period. The dynamics at the highest level indicates a significant strengthening of connections and mutual interest in expanding interaction.

Along with the summits of the heads of state, meetings of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliaments of the two countries are regularly held. A significant instrument for inter-parliamentary cooperation is the "Friendship group of Uzbekistan-France" in the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In the Senate of France there is an inter-parliamentary group "France - Central Asia", in the National Assembly, being the lower house of the French parliament, there is a friendship group "France - Central Asia". Such multifaceted interaction helps to strengthen political dialogue.

The progressive development of Uzbek-French relations reveals broad prospects in trade, economic and investment areas. In Uzbekistan, there are 50 enterprises with French capital, half of which fully belong to investors from France. The presence of the French business is especially noticeable in the key sectors of the economy of the republic, such as utilities (Veolia, Suez, Eiffage), "green" energy (EDF, Total Eren, Voltalia, Orange), and food industry (Lactalis).

The active participation of companies from France in various Uzbek industries emphasizes their growing interest in the local market and forms a reliable base for deepening economic partnerships between countries.

The key mechanisms for the development of bilateral contacts are the Uzbekistan-France Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation and the Economic Chamber France-Uzbekistan. A significant contribution is made by the French Development Agency, which is currently implementing a Cooperation Program with Uzbekistan for the period of 2023-2025 with a budget of 1.07 billion euros.

An important role in strengthening interaction is devoted to joint business forums. For instance, one of them was held in November 2023 in Samarkand with the participation of the leaders of 60 French companies, and the second in May 2024 in Tashkent, which was attended by 53 representatives of 20 companies in France, including top managers of "SUEZ" and "Airbus Europe". The business forum held on January 30 this year in the capital of Uzbekistan has delivered many signed agreements on economic cooperation.

The results of these meetings are reinforced by the favourable conditions formed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan, according to which the most favoured nation regime has been established with France. This has contributed to a five-fold increase in bilateral trade over the past five years, which has reached 1.1 billion US dollars in 2024. A portfolio of current and promising projects covering mechanical engineering and production of natural resources exceeds 8 billion euros.

Along with the dynamic development of economic ties, the Uzbek-French cooperation is actively expanding in the cultural and humanitarian sphere as well, enriching relations between the citizens of the two countries. Over the past 7 years over 50 agreements and memorandums have been signed in various fields: business management and archeology, design and fashion, linguistics and education, healthcare, tourism, and sports.

In tourism the results of the agreements are especially noticeable: during last two years the number of tourists from France visiting Uzbekistan has approached 20 thousand people annually.

At the same time, the French language is being actively studied in the country, with more than 189,900 students in schools and universities learning it. These facts indicate strengthening cultural ties and mutual interest, creating the basis for the further development of bilateral relations.

Cultural centers, headed by the "French Alliance", play a key role in the development of interaction between countries. Monuments of Abu Ali Ibn Sino and Mirzo Ulugbek installed in France emphasize respect and interest in the historical heritage of the region in this country. Cooperation is also strengthened thanks to joint projects, such as "Uzbek garden" opened in the central park of the city of Rueil-Malmaison and in the botanical garden of Toulouse.

An important stage in strengthening bilateral ties was holding of significant exhibitions in Paris dedicated to the art and history of the republic. In 2022-2023, a series of events was held including the expositions of "The Splendours of Uzbekistan’s Oases" at the Louvre Museum, "The Road to Samarkand. Miracles of Silk and Gold" at the Arab World Institute and "Abu Rayhan Beruni: Geographical and Intellectual Journeys" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Not only do they reveal the wealth of historical heritage of Central Asia, but also contribute to the strengthening of mutual understanding between the peoples of Uzbekistan and France.

Summing up, it can be stated that the Uzbek-French relations experience the renaissance. The open and pragmatic foreign policy of Tashkent, aimed at the widening involvement of international partners in cooperation with Uzbekistan and in the region of Central Asia creates favorable conditions for elevating of relations with France to a qualitatively new level.