In the context of its foreign policy, Uzbekistan actively seeks partnerships with European countries, viewing them as important strategic allies for implementing economic, political, and humanitarian projects.
France holds a key position in Europe and plays a significant role in this process. The relationship between the two countries is characterized by a strong political and diplomatic dialogue, as well as vast opportunities for developing trade and investment cooperation and promoting exchange in education and science.
The historical origins of the bilateral ties between Uzbekistan and France can be traced back to the 14th century, when the military leader and founder of the Timurid Empire, Amir Timur, and King Charles VI established a partnership based on a mutual desire for free trade. Correspondence between the two leaders, found in their respective archives, demonstrates their shared interest in strengthening political relations. Amir Timur even emphasized the importance of developing commercial ties and supporting merchants, stating that “the world flourishes thanks to merchants.”
This mutual desire for friendship, solidarity, and economic cooperation has persisted over the centuries. After gaining independence, Uzbekistan’s relations with France received a new impetus, resulting in the establishment of multifaceted ties.
The historical roots of this partnership have laid a strong foundation for a modern dialogue, which has gained significant momentum with the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the Head of state.
Significantly, President Mirziyoyev’s first European visit was to France, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of relations between the two countries. This visit was followed by the signing of several important intergovernmental agreements.
Today, both sides demonstrate openness and pragmatism, actively collaborating in the development of political dialogue, trade, economy, investment, energy, technology, culture, and humanitarian areas. This comprehensive approach, rooted in a shared historical heritage, reflects a desire for mutually beneficial partnership in addressing modern challenges.
Over the 34 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, six mutual state visits have taken place, with three of them occurring in the last seven years under the current leaders. This includes two visits by President Mirziyoyev to Paris in 2018 and 2022, and a return visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Tashkent in 2023. This dynamic at the highest level highlights the significant strengthening of connections and mutual interest in expanding cooperation.
In addition to these summits, regular meetings are held between the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliaments of both countries. The “Uzbekistan-France” Friendship Group in the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan plays a significant role in inter-parliamentary cooperation, while the French Senate has an inter-parliamentary group “France-Central Asia.” The lower house of the French Parliament, the National Assembly, also has a “France-Central Asia” Friendship Group. This multifaceted interaction helps to strengthen political dialogue.
The progressive development of relations between Uzbekistan and France reveals broad prospects for trade, economy, and investment. There are currently 50 enterprises with French capital in Uzbekistan, half of which are entirely owned by French investors. French businesses are particularly active in key sectors of the Uzbek economy, such as utilities (Veolia, Suez, Eiffage), green energy (EDF, Total Eren, Voltalia, Orange), and the food industry (Lactalis).
The active participation of French companies in various Uzbek industries demonstrates their growing interest in the local market and forms a solid foundation for deepening economic partnerships between the two countries.
The key mechanisms for developing bilateral contacts are the Uzbekistan-France Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Economic Chamber France-Uzbekistan. The French Development Agency also plays a significant role, implementing a Cooperation Program with Uzbekistan for 2023-2025 with a budget of 1.07 billion euros.
Joint business forums also contribute to strengthening interaction. For example, one such forum was held in November 2023 in Samarkand, with the participation of leaders from 60 French companies, and another in May 2024 in Tashkent, attended by 53 representatives from 20 French companies, including top managers from SUEZ and Airbus Europe. The business forum held on January 30 this year in the capital of Uzbekistan resulted in numerous signed agreements on economic cooperation.
The favorable conditions established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan, which includes a most favored nation regime with France, have contributed to a five-fold increase in bilateral trade over the past five years, reaching 1.1 billion US dollars in 2024. The portfolio of current and promising projects, covering mechanical engineering and natural resource production, exceeds 8 billion euros.
In addition to the dynamic development of economic ties, cooperation between Uzbekistan and France is also actively expanding in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, enriching relations between the citizens of the two countries. Over the past seven years, more than 50 agreements and memorandums have been signed in various fields, including business management, archeology, design, fashion, linguistics, education, healthcare, tourism, and sports.
The results of these agreements are particularly evident in the tourism sector, with the number of French tourists visiting Uzbekistan reaching nearly 20,000 annually in the last two years. The French language is also actively studied in Uzbekistan, with more than 189,000 students in schools and universities learning it. These facts demonstrate the strengthening of cultural ties and mutual interest, providing a solid foundation for further development of bilateral relations.
Cultural centers, led by the French Alliance, play a key role in developing interaction between the two countries. The monuments of Abu Ali Ibn Sina and Mirzo Ulugbek installed in France demonstrate the country’s respect and interest in the historical heritage of the region. Cooperation is also strengthened through joint projects, such as the “Uzbek Garden” in the central park of Rueil-Malmaison and the botanical garden in Toulouse.
A significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties was the organization of major exhibitions in Paris dedicated to the art and history of Uzbekistan. In 2022-2023, a series of events was held, including exhibitions such as “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 UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Not only do these exhibitions showcase the rich historical heritage of Central Asia, but they also contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between the people of Uzbekistan and France.
In conclusion, the relations between Uzbekistan and France are experiencing a renaissance. The open and pragmatic foreign policy of Tashkent, aimed at increasing the involvement of international partners in cooperation in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region, has created favorable conditions for elevating relations with France to a new level of quality.
Sharif Akhmedov,
Chief Researcher,
Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan