Uzbekistan

Political relations

France and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on 1 March 1992. A series of intergovernmental agreements, which constitute the basis for relations between France and Uzbekistan, were signed during President Karimov’s visit to France in 1993. After 11 September 2001, French involvement in Afghanistan helped strengthen political dialogue with Tashkent. After a slowdown following the adoption of European sanctions (2005-2009) due to the suppression of demonstrations in the city of Andijan, France has developed its relations with Uzbekistan through regular political dialogue and various cooperation projects.

The bilateral relationship has grown stronger since the election of President Mirziyoyev, whose visits to France in 2018 and again in November 2022 generated positive impetus, and several cooperation projects and intergovernmental agreements were signed on that occasion. The historic visit by French President Emmanuel Macron on 1 and 2 November 2023 to Samarkand, almost 30 years after François Mitterrand’s visit to Uzbekistan, made the prospect of a strategic partnership between France and Uzbekistan possible. This was officially announced during the state visit by the Uzbek President to Paris on 12 and 13 March 2025.

Economic relations

Economic projects have become a fundamental part of the bilateral relationship, with growing interest for the development of projects in the energy, water, urban services, industry, agrifood and transport industries. Financial support from the French State is significant, through private sector study and aid fund (FASEP) grants, treasury loans and BPI AE loan insurance. The French ecosystem is also being developed with the creation of a France-Uzbekistan Economic Chamber in 2024. In 2024, our exports amounted to €371 million and our imports from Uzbekistan €149 million (which is more than three times higher than in 2017). Uranium represents more than 90% of our imports, in addition to other minerals, agricultural products and cotton.

The regional offices of the AFD for Central Asia have been established in Tashkent since 2015, with total financial commitments amounting to more than €1.3 billion in late 2024. Projects involve public policy budgetary loans (green economy, energy transition, climate) and financing for investment projects in various areas (water and sanitation, animal husbandry, electricity distribution, and the rehabilitation of land damaged by the Aral Sea).