President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has arrived in Paris for a state visit, marking his third journey to the French capital since October 2018 and November 2022. The visit, which is scheduled to last until Thursday, commenced with an official welcoming ceremony at the historic Invalides monument, where he was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Strengthening Franco-Uzbek relations
During their meeting at the Elysee Palace, both leaders, along with their respective delegations, engaged in discussions aimed at bolstering the already strong ties between Uzbekistan and France. A primary focus of the conversations was on enhancing trade and economic cooperation, as well as fostering collaboration with French businesses.
One significant outcome of the discussions was the signing of a joint declaration on strategic partnership. According to a statement from the Uzbek president’s press service shared on the social media platform X, “In front of leaders documents were exchanged, including agreements on specialist and student mobility, mutual visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders, and a cooperation program for implementation of projects worth 6.5 billion euros.”
Expanding cooperation across various sectors
In addition to the key agreements mentioned, further collaborations were established across multiple sectors, including education, finance, technology, healthcare, and culture. This multifaceted approach reflects President Mirziyoyev’s efforts to reform and strengthen Uzbekistan’s global relations, particularly with Western countries, while still maintaining traditional ties with Moscow.
This visit underscores the growing importance of Franco-Uzbek relations, as both nations seek to explore new opportunities for economic collaboration and cultural exchange in the years to come.