Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 13 March, the three-day state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to France concluded, marking a significant milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

Unprecedented in both scale and significance, this visit signaled a transition to a qualitatively new stage of cooperation between the two nations. During the visit, more than 20 agreements and contracts were signed, covering a wide range of areas, including politics, the green economy, agriculture, energy, healthcare, education, and culture.

Experts emphasize that this event not only opened a new chapter in Uzbekistan-France cooperation but also became an important milestone in laying a solid foundation for a long-term partnership between Central Asia and Europe. Several key aspects characterize this visit.

First, political engagement between the two countries has been growing rapidly in recent years. The dialogue has reached an unprecedented level, with high-level visits occurring more frequently than ever before. Since 2018, this has been the fourth summit, with regular political consultations held between foreign ministries and active development of inter-parliamentary ties.

A major outcome of this process was the signing of a key document—the Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership Relations between Uzbekistan and France. This declaration sets long-term cooperation priorities and is intended to enhance collaboration across all sectors, aligning with the vital interests of both Tashkent and Paris.

The agreement reflects Uzbekistan’s growing role in international relations. The country is steadily strengthening its global standing, becoming an increasingly sought-after partner. Due to its strategic location in Central Asia, Uzbekistan plays a key role in connecting East and West, which contributes to deepening ties with France.

At the same time, France, as a major global political player, actively supports the development of these relations. The country has historically been one of the key actors in international law and humanitarian cooperation. Paris hosts UNESCO’s headquarters, and Strasbourg is home to the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, France is an active participant in influential organizations such as the G7 and G20.

The high level of protocol events was a highlight of the visit. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest national distinction. The solemn award ceremony, conducted by President Emmanuel Macron, underscored France’s deep respect for Uzbekistan’s leader.

This recognition is not merely ceremonial but serves as a testament to the depth of trust and strong relations between the two nations. It is also a striking confirmation of the effectiveness of Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s foreign policy.

Secondly, economic cooperation is reaching a fundamentally new level, shifting from traditional sectors to more advanced technological collaboration.

A key step in this direction was the adoption of the Innovation and Industrial Partnership Program following the visit. Its goal is to foster long-term economic cooperation through the implementation of projects of strategic importance to both nations.

Key areas include the extraction and processing of critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, transportation, and other industries. The total investment volume will amount to €6.5 billion, raising the overall portfolio to €12 billion.

The financing of these projects will be provided by leading French banks and investment funds. This underscores, on one hand, the high level of trust from the European business community, and on the other, France’s commitment to modernizing Uzbekistan’s key industries, creating new jobs, and facilitating the transfer of advanced technologies.

Particularly noteworthy are the agreements in the energy sector. Uzbekistan is actively diversifying its energy balance, prioritizing the development of renewable energy sources (RES). France, with its cutting-edge technologies and expertise, is set to play a crucial role in this process. According to the authoritative Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI), France is among the global leaders in renewable energy innovations, holding high positions due to its ambitious goals and developed infrastructure.

French companies such as Total and Voltalia are already implementing major projects in this sector. For instance, the first solar power plant in Uzbekistan was built with the support of French partners.

The recent visit resulted in new contracts further strengthening this partnership. In August of this year, a 500-kilowatt agrivoltaic project is set to be launched in the Tashkent region. Thus, cooperation in renewable energy not only contributes to sustainable development goals but also demonstrates Uzbekistan’s firm commitment to an energy transition.

Thirdly, the cultural and humanitarian sphere remains an integral part of bilateral relations and represents another key element of the strategic partnership.

One of the most significant outcomes was the signing of an agreement to establish the Uzbek-French University. This initiative will enhance academic exchange and strengthen ties between young people in both countries. The university will implement educational programs featuring leading French specialists, providing students with unique opportunities to obtain internationally recognized degrees.

Additionally, agreements were signed to expand the teaching of the French language in Uzbekistan and to implement student and professional mobility programs. France, whose universities consistently rank among the world’s best (QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings), is a recognized leader in higher education.

Moreover, during the visit, it was agreed to hold an exhibition in Paris featuring works from the Nukus Museum named after I. Savitsky, a gem of Central Asian avant-garde art. An agreement was also reached to establish a French Heritage Institute office in Uzbekistan to collaborate on the preservation and restoration of historical monuments.

These initiatives highlight the growing interest of the French public in Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. A systematic dialogue in the cultural and humanitarian sphere fosters mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations and serves as an essential foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.

Of particular importance is the partnership program signed with the French Development Agency, which extends until 2030. Since 2016, the agency has been actively involved in implementing projects aimed at economic diversification, sustainable development, and improving citizens' quality of life.

Thus, the agreements signed during the visit establish a strong foundation for long-term cooperation with France. To coordinate and implement these agreements, the two sides will create a Strategic Planning Group led by the foreign ministries with participation from economic agencies.

Overall, it is safe to say that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Paris was not only a demonstration of the growing trust between Uzbekistan and France but also a significant step towards sustainable development and prosperity for both countries. It also reaffirms the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral ties, addressing global challenges together, and opening new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Kamila Sabirova,
Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan