Leaders of Uzbekistan and France elevate bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership
At the invitation of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived on a state visit to the city of Paris.
The Uzbek leader was met at the plane by French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research Elisabeth Borne, Commander of the Military District of Paris General Loic Mizon and other officials.
State flags of the two countries were raised and a guard of honor was formed at the pavilion of honor at Orly International Airport in honor of the distinguished guest.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was greeted with great joy by a group of our compatriots studying, working and engaged in science in France at the residence where the Uzbek delegation was accommodated. The Head of our state had a sincere talk with them, wished them success in their studies and research.
The main events of the visit are scheduled for today, March 12.
Uzbek-French high-level talks will be held at the Elysee Palace in accordance with the program of the visit.
The President will also hold a meeting with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and a round table with representatives of leading French companies and banks.
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On March 12, the official welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is paying a state visit to the French Republic was held at the Hôtel des Invalides in the city of Paris.
The leader of our country was met by the President of France Emmanuel Macron.
A guard of honor was lined up on the square in honor of the distinguished guest consisting of servicemen of the Republican Guard, ground troops, naval and air forces of France.
The national anthems of the two countries were played by a military band. The guardsmen marched in front of the Head of our state in a solemn march.
The presidents went around the guard of honor and greeted members of the official delegations.
Then, the President of Uzbekistan, accompanied by the Horse Guards and motorcyclists, headed for the Elysee Palace - the residence of President of France, where the main bilateral summit talks will be held.
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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.
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Following the talks in Paris, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron have adopted a Joint Declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership.
In the presence of the heads of state, exchange of intergovernmental agreement on mobility of specialists and students, intergovernmental agreement on mutual exemption of holders of diplomatic passports from visa requirements, as well as the Program of Innovative and Industrial Partnership, envisaging implementation of promising cooperation projects with leading French companies in Uzbekistan worth 6.5 billion euros, took place.
During the state visit the following were also signed:
- Intergovernmental Agreement on the establishment of the Uzbek-French University;
- Intergovernmental Agreement on readmission;
- Cooperation Program of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2025-2026;
- Program of cooperation with the French Development Agency for 2026-2030;
- Declaration on cooperation within the framework of international organizations;
- Declaration on cooperation in the field of healthcare;
- Protocol on the expansion of French language teaching;
- Declaration on cooperation in the fields of music, cinema and theater;
- Cooperation agreements between the Fund for the Development of Culture and Arts and the Ministry of Culture, the French National Institute for Cultural Heritage and the French Institute for Central Asian Studies;
- Protocol on the establishment of partnership relations between the cities of Tashkent and Paris, as well as other bilateral documents.
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President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron hosted a state reception in honor of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Elysee Palace.
The reception was attended by official delegations of the two countries, members of the Cabinet of Ministers headed by Prime Minister François Bayrou, prominent figures of culture, art and science, representatives of business circles and the public.
Addressing Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, the Head of our state expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the historical significance of the talks held today, which brought the relations between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership.
In his speech, the French leader welcomed the results of today's talks and signed agreements.
- For several years we have managed to establish long-term cooperation in such important areas as energy, water management, public utilities, transportation, sustainable tourism. As evidence, I can cite the fact that with the support of the French government and the French Development Agency, companies of our country are investing in Uzbekistan, creating added value and jobs in the regions, young people are mastering professions and finding their place in life.
In the course of the event, the sides expressed determination to further strengthen Uzbek-French cooperation for the benefit of our peoples.
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has met with Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo as part of his state visit to France.
At the beginning of the conversation, the Head of our state sincerely congratulated the mayor of the capital on the successful holding of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as thanked for naming one of the streets of Paris after Samarkand.
In turn, Anne Hidalgo expressed gratitude to the leader of Uzbekistan for assistance in ensuring public security during the Olympic events.
The meeting noted with deep satisfaction the historic outcomes of the current visit of the President of Uzbekistan, in the course of which the multifaceted relations between the two countries have risen to the level of strategic partnership.
Issues of intensifying practical interaction and exchanges between Tashkent and Paris on the basis of the adopted agreement were discussed.
It concerns exchange of experience in the sphere of urban planning, creation of “green” zones, development of public transport, digitalization, as well as modernization and sustainable operation of urban communications.
In addition, the issues of mutual organization of exhibitions, days of culture and art, tourist gastronomic festivals were considered.
At the end of the meeting, an official ceremony of naming one of the streets of Paris after Samarkand was held.
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The intensive program of the historic state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the French Republic has concluded.
During his stay in Paris, the Head of State held fruitful talks with the President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The summit resulted in the adoption of the Joint Declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership relations, as well as a solid package of agreements on various areas of cooperation.
The leader of our country took part in a round table with the heads of leading companies, banks and organizations of France. The Program of Innovative and Industrial Partnership was adopted, providing for the implementation of specific cooperation projects worth 6.5 billion euros.
For his significant contribution to the development of bilateral cooperation, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest award of the French Republic.
In the framework of the visit, the President met with Yaël Braun-Pivet, Speaker of the French National Assembly, and Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. A ceremony of naming one of the streets of Paris after Samarkand was held.
During the talks with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, prospects for further development of cooperation and preparation of the 43rd session of the organization's General Conference in Samarkand were discussed.
Official web-site of the President of Uzbekistan
