Mirjalol Murtozaev is a Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies

 

From 11 to 13 March 2025, the official state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to France marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, fostering cooperation across multiple domains. In an interview with the analytical information channel Paradigma.uz, Mirjalol Murtozayev underscored the pivotal aspects of this diplomatic engagement, highlighting the newly established Strategic Partnership Declaration as a cornerstone for strengthening long-term collaboration between the two nations. The visit also saw progress in investment projects, with France committing to key sectors in Uzbekistan, including energy, infrastructure, water management, transport, and tourism, reflecting growing economic interdependence. Furthermore, discussions centered on enhancing trade relations, particularly in the context of Uzbekistan’s access to GSP+ trade preferences and prospects for free trade agreements, further solidifying economic ties.

 

Beyond economic and strategic matters, the visit underscored cultural and multilateral cooperation, as exemplified by high-level discussions with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. These talks explored avenues for deepening international cultural engagement, reinforcing Uzbekistan’s role as a bridge between civilizations. A major focal point was the upcoming 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, set to take place in Samarkand in 2025, with both sides engaged in preparatory discussions. This visit is anticipated to elevate Uzbekistan-France relations to a new level, fostering deeper collaboration in politics, education, tourism, and infrastructure while reinforcing Uzbekistan’s growing presence in global affairs.

 

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.