President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of France Emmanuel Macron held a meeting in a narrow format at the Congress Center in Samarkand.
At the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the issues of further developing comprehensive cooperation between Uzbekistan and France and agreed to raise bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.
It was noted that in recent years, multifaceted bilateral relations are rapidly developing in all areas of cooperation. The number of trade and joint ventures has doubled. The portfolio of current and prospective projects has exceeded 10 billion euros.
A 1-billion-euro Strategic Partnership Program is being implemented with the French Development Agency.
The sides considered strengthening cooperation in "green" energy, extraction and processing of raw materials, innovative agriculture, water supply, logistics, infrastructure development, tourism and other areas.
The French side noted that they are ready to support Uzbekistan's efforts to join WTO and the signing of the Extended Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union.
The parties agreed to accelerate the opening of the Uzbek-French higher education institution in Tashkent and to expand cooperation in training French language teachers.
The heads of state also exchanged views on current issues of international and regional importance.
