Tashkent, February 26, 2024, The Europe Today: The International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) recently played host to a significant meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Uzbekistan, Ms. Aurelia Bouchez. The gathering emphasized the unprecedented upswing in diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and France, owing to the intensified high-level contacts between the two nations.
Ambassador Bouchez underscored the remarkable progress in Uzbekistan-France relations over the past period. The diplomat highlighted the substantial impact of President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Uzbekistan in November 2023, the first of its kind in thirty years. Similarly, she praised the reciprocal visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Paris in 2022, which resulted in the organization of the groundbreaking exhibition at the Louvre Museum, titled “The Splendours of Uzbekistan’s Oases. At the Crossroads of Caravan Routes.”
In discussing regional cooperation, both parties acknowledged the ongoing efforts of Central Asian countries in developing practical multilateral formats within the CA+EU dialogue. France, as a founding member of the European Union, was recognized for its significant contributions to this platform, culminating in an upcoming historic summit to be held in Uzbekistan later this year.
The meeting delved into potential areas of collaboration, with a focus on leveraging France’s expertise in addressing regional issues related to water use, the transition to a green economy, environmental protection, and other pertinent research areas within the scope of IICA.
Concluding the discussions, Ambassador Bouchez expressed her eagerness to facilitate collaboration between IICA and prominent French analytical structures, including the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) and the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS). This proactive stance towards cooperation signifies a step forward in strengthening ties between the two nations in various critical domains.
The meeting between IICA and Ambassador Bouchez marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to foster collaboration and understanding between Uzbekistan and France, laying the groundwork for future initiatives and partnerships.
