Uzbekistan and France Strengthen Parliamentary Ties

Uzbekistan and France Deepen Parliamentary Cooperation

Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Rahimjon Hakimov held talks with a delegation from the National Assembly of France headed by Catherine Hervieu, chairperson of the France–Central Asia Friendship Group, on expanding bilateral parliamentary ties and the strategic partnership.

At the meeting in Tashkent, participants said Uzbek-French relations have reached the stage of strategic partnership, with cooperation growing in political, trade, economic, energy, educational, and cultural areas. The relationship was elevated after Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a Joint Declaration on Establishing Strategic Partnership in Paris on 12 March 2025.

Hakimov briefed the French delegation on Uzbekistan’s ongoing legislative and governance reforms, with emphasis on human rights protection, gender equality, youth policy, social protection, and the expansion of parliamentary oversight powers after the 2023 constitutional reform.

Hervieu praised Uzbekistan’s reform course and international standing, congratulating the country on the 35th anniversary of its independence. She also underlined Uzbekistan’s importance as a venue for regional and international dialogue.

The delegation examined bilateral economic figures, noting that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and France reached US$1.4 billion for the first time in 2025. The overall portfolio of joint investment projects involving French companies has surpassed €12 billion. Cultural and educational cooperation was also discussed, including the creation of the Uzbekistan-France University and cultural heritage exhibitions at the Louvre Museum.

The two sides agreed to put regular inter-parliamentary exchanges on a formal footing between parliamentary committees, political factions, and friendship groups through more delegation visits and expert roundtables. Priority areas for sharing legislative experience include investment protection, energy, the green economy, digitalization, education, innovation, cultural heritage preservation, and human rights.