Uzbekistan, France sign 14 agreements, to implement projects worth 6 bln euros

TASHKENT. Nov 23 (Interfax) - Fourteen agreements aimed at further expanding relations between Uzbekistan and France were signed following talks in Paris between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Uzbek president's press service reported on Wednesday.

"The heads of state discussed in detail issues concerning the further expansion of mutually beneficial Uzbek-French cooperation and agreed to take relations to a high-level comprehensive partnership," the statement said.

The parties signed a program for cooperation between their foreign affairs agencies, and an agreement on a strategic partnership with French development agency AFD on the implementation of a cooperation program for 2023-2025.

They also signed a declaration on cooperation in the area of cultural and historical heritage, preschool, public and higher education, and development of the civil service. Documents were also signed in the area of civil aviation, fighting corruption, upgrading the qualifications of judges, French language instruction and others.

"Bilateral agreements were reached on the implementation of priority projects of trade, economic, investment and financial cooperation totaling more than 6 billion euros," the press service said.

The presidents and their spouses also visited an exhibition of Uzbek cultural and historical artifacts at the Louvre and the Arab World Institute in Paris. The Uzbek president last visited France in October 2018.