Uzbekistan and France to expand interparliamentary cooperation

Uzbekistan and France intend to expand inter-parliamentary cooperation

Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Rakhimzhon Khakimov held a meeting with a delegation of the National Assembly of France, led by the chairperson of the "France — Central Asia" friendship group, Catherine Hervieu. During the conversation, the parties reviewed issues of developing the strategic partnership between the two states and strengthening inter-parliamentary ties.

At the meeting, it was emphasized that Uzbek-French relations have reached a new stage of strategic partnership and are dynamically developing in the political, trade and economic, energy, educational, and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

A new qualitative impulse was given to bilateral relations by the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership by the Presidents of Uzbekistan and France, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emmanuel Macron, in Paris on March 12, 2025.

Rakhimzhon Khakimov told the French delegation about the democratic transformations being implemented in Uzbekistan. In particular, he focused on priorities in the field of human rights protection, strengthening gender equality, youth policy, and social protection.

It was separately noted that after the 2023 constitutional reform, the powers of the parliament expanded, and the mechanisms of parliamentary control were strengthened.

Catherine Hervieu thanked the Uzbek side for the warm welcome and highly praised the reforms being carried out in the country, as well as the growing international prestige of Uzbekistan. She also congratulated the people of the country on the 35th anniversary of independence and wished Uzbekistan peace, stability, prosperity, and further development.

According to the French deputy, today Uzbekistan is viewed as one of the important platforms for international dialogue and constructive cooperation.

The meeting participants also discussed the economic results of the strategic partnership. By the end of 2025, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and France reached $1.4 billion for the first time. The portfolio of joint investment projects involving French companies exceeded €12 billion.

Humanitarian ties are also developing. As examples, the parties cited the creation of the University of Uzbekistan and France, as well as cooperation in the field of studying and preserving cultural heritage. An important event was the holding of an exhibition dedicated to the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan at the Louvre.

Against the backdrop of expanding bilateral cooperation, inter-parliamentary dialogue was designated as one of the mechanisms of legislative and institutional support for the strategic partnership. Lawmaking, parliamentary control, and parliamentary diplomacy were identified among its priorities.

The parties agreed to make cooperation between the parliaments more regular and practical. In particular, they discussed expanding direct contacts between parliamentary committees and factions, intensifying the work of friendship groups, increasing the number of mutual visits, as well as holding joint expert discussions and roundtables.

The negotiators paid special attention to the exchange of legislative experience in the areas of investment and entrepreneurship protection, energy and the "green" economy, digitalization, education and innovation, preservation of cultural heritage, as well as ensuring human rights and freedoms.

In addition, the parties emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue on regional and international issues and mutual support for initiatives within the framework of international parliamentary organizations.

Following the meeting, Uzbekistan and France agreed to continue expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation, activate the activities of friendship groups, and consistently develop the exchange of legislative experience.