Head-to-head talks between the Presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and France Emmanuel Macron took place at the Samarkand Congress Center, the presidential press service said.

The two leaders discussed in detail the ways to build up comprehensive Uzbek-French cooperation and agreed to upgrade the bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership.

They underscored that in recent years, the Uzbek-French relations had been dynamically developing in all areas and multiple fold increase in the two-way trade and the number of joint ventures, with the portfolio of active and promising investment projects having surpassed 10 billion euros.

A €1 billion Strategic Cooperation Program is being implemented with the French Development Agency.

The parties discussed measures to promote new major projects in the areas of green energy, extraction and processing of raw materials, innovative agriculture, water supply, logistics, infrastructure development, tourism and others.

The French President expressed the country's readiness to further support Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen confidence in Central Asia, as well as its joining the World Trade Organization and the early signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union.

The importance of continuing political dialogue, strengthening cooperation in the field of security, and effectively countering emerging challenges and threats was emphasized.

A rich cultural and humanitarian agenda and a growing interest in learning the French language in Uzbekistan were noted. In this regard, the parties welcomed the opening of a branch of the French Alliance in the city of Samarkand.

An agreement was reached to expedite the creation of an Uzbek-French university in the city of Tashkent and expand cooperation in the field of training French language teachers.

The heads of state also exchanged views on current issues on the international and regional agenda.

Afterwards, the talks between the Presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and France Emmanuel Macron continued between with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

Opening the meeting, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the President of France for arriving in Uzbekistan at the head of a solid 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 the further development and strengthening of Uzbek-French relations of friendship and multifaceted partnership,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.

The parties agreed to continue active political contacts, regular dialogue between parliaments, governments, foreign policy and economic departments.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined the mining industry, processing of 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.

To promote business partnership, the launch of the Uzbek-French Chamber of Commerce and the planned opening of the Business France agency office in Tashkent were announced.

In order to deepen cooperation in the humanitarian dimension, it was proposed to adopt a three-year program and hold cross Culture Days within its framework.

The parties welcomed the opening of a branch of the French Alliance in Samarkand and agreed to accelerate the creation of a joint Uzbek-French university.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev 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.

The counterparts exchange views on the international agenda and continued cooperation in combating common challenges and security threats.

At the end of the meeting, the Uzbek leader wished the President of France successful holding of the Summer Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris.

Based on the results, the heads of state instructed to prepare a “road map” for the implementation of all the agreements reached.