UZBEKISTAN’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WITH FRANCE AND GERMANY

Аннотация

This article analyzes the international relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan with France and Germany. It explores areas of cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, culture, education, and science. France and Germany are considered key strategic partners of Uzbekistan in Europe. The article presents information on major investment projects, cultural exchanges, educational programs, and technical assistance initiatives implemented in collaboration with these countries. It also discusses official state visits, bilateral agreements, and prospective directions for futurecooperation. Keywords:Uzbekistan, France, Germany, international relations, strategic partnership, investment, education, culture, science, diplomatic relations, European Union, GIZ, KfW, Veolia, Airbus, Sh.Mirziyoyev. France is one of Uzbekistan’s most important partners in Europe. Uzbek-French relations have a long history. During the state visit of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to France on October 28–30, 1993, the signing of the Paris Charter by the Uzbek head ofstatelaid thefoundation for economic relations between thetwo countries. An agreement was signed between the National Bank of Uzbekistan and the major French bank Crédit Commercial de France, which provided financial support for a project to build an oil refinery in Bukhara. Agreements were also reached with the well-known Elf Aquitaine petrochemical concern, the Technip company, and others to construct the refinery. As a result, the plant was officially launched on August 22, 1997. It began producing gasoline, kerosene, liquefied gas, diesel fuel, and other products. A total of USD 262million was invested during the construction ofthefacility[1]. Parliamentary relations are also developing rapidly. Since 1996, delegations from the French Parliament have visited Uzbekistan on several occasions — in September 1997, October 2000, April 2001, September 2003, May 2004, October–November 2007, and September 2008. A delegation from the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan paid an official visit to France in 2010. Notably, an Oliy Majlis delegation also made an official visit to France in November2007. Working groups on inter-parliamentary cooperation such as “France and Central Asia” and “France–Uzbekistan” were established within the French National Assembly and the French Senate. On March 26, 2008, a parliamentary group for cooperation with the French Senate was formed under the Senate of Uzbekistan. In June 2010, a similar group was established under the LegislativeChamber ofthe OliyMajlis[2]. In June 2008, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ombudsman of Uzbekistan and the French Human Rights Defender (Défenseur des droits). In France, associations such as “The Art and History of the Timurid Era” and “Avicenna-France” are actively engaged in promoting academic and cultural understanding. In addition, twin-city relations have been established between Samarkand and Lyon, Khiva and Versailles, and Bukhara and Rueil-Malmaison, strengthening cultural and municipal-level cooperation. The foundations for bilateral relations were laid during the state visit of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to France from October 28 to 30, 1993. Subsequently, in April 1994, former French President François Mitterrand became the first among the leaders https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue5,2025 1205 of the G7 countries to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan. The second visit of President Islam Karimov to France in April 1996, as well as his meetings with President Jacques Chirac during theEU Summit in Florence in June 1996,and the NATO summit in Prague in 2002, significantly contributed to theenhancement of bilateral relations. The April 21–24, 1996 visit by President Karimov marked a new stage in Uzbekistan–France relations. During his meeting with President Jacques Chirac, prospects for further development of economic, political, and cultural ties were discussed. As part of the visit, President Karimov attended the exhibition titled “Development of Science, Culture and Education during the Timurid Era” organized at the UNESCO headquarters. These meetings and the agreements, conventions, and financial protocols signed during them laid the groundwork for the expansion ofeconomic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between thetwo countries[3]. In France, associations such as “TheArt andHistory ofthe Timurid Era”and “Avicenna-France” are actively engaged in scholarly and cultural activities. Furthermore, twin-city partnerships have been established between Samarkand and Lyon, Khiva and Versailles, and Bukhara and Rueil- Malmaison,fostering municipal andcultural exchange. The French Research Center is exploring opportunities for cooperation in various fields, particularly in animal husbandry, viticulture, rare metals, the development of new plant-based medicines, and petroleum and gas products. A coo