Uzbek, French delegations hold expanded format talks
Samarkand, The Gulf Observer: Talks between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron continued in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.
Opening the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the President of France for arriving in Uzbekistan with a representative delegation, which included officials, heads of leading companies, famous cultural and scientific figures.
“This is clear evidence of your personal attention and special attitude to further developing and strengthening friendship and multifaceted partnership between Uzbekistan and France”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.
It was noted that thanks to regular meetings at the highest level, relations between Uzbekistan and France have acquired a comprehensive character.
The parties agreed to continue active political contacts and regular dialogue between parliaments, governments, foreign policy, and economic agencies.
The dynamic growth of trade turnover, estimated to reach €1 billion soon, was noted with satisfaction. The portfolio of current and future projects exceeds €10 billion.
Such French business leaders as Orano, EDF, Total, SUEZ, Eiffage, Voltalia, Lactalis, Veolia, and many others are successfully operating in Uzbekistan.
The President of Uzbekistan identified the mining industry, processing strategic raw materials, construction of hybrid, solar, and wind power plants, modernization of water supply systems, introduction of smart agriculture, development of urban and transport infrastructure, and tourism as priority sectors of cooperation.
The launch of the Uzbekistan – France Chamber of Commerce and the planned opening of the Business France agency office in Tashkent were announced to promote business partnerships.
To deepen cooperation in the humanitarian field, adopting a three-year program and holding Culture Days within its framework was proposed.
The parties welcomed the opening of a branch of the French Alliance in Samarkand city and agreed to accelerate the creation of a joint Uzbekistan – France higher education institution.
It was proposed to develop a program for the development of tourist exchanges with the organization of charter flights from different cities of France to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
Views were exchanged on issues of the international agenda and continued cooperation in combating common challenges and security threats.
Following the meeting, the Leader of Uzbekistan wished the President of France a successful holding of the Summer Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris.
The heads of state instructed to prepare an action plan to implement all the agreements reached.
