“France is ready to support these two countries on the path of reform and renewal, to contribute to the diversification of their international relations, and to support their efforts to strengthen their independence, sovereignty, and relations with Europe,” the Macron administration said in a statement.

According to the French side, France and these two countries are getting closer to each other in the economic sphere, especially in the energy sector, supply of the most important raw materials, transport infrastructure, healthcare, food independence, and defense.

It is noted that economic forums with the participation of French companies will begin with the visit.

“France also cooperates with the countries of the region on serious global issues, including ecology, water resources management, and food security,” the statement reads.

The press release says that Paris is also cooperating with Astana and Tashkent in the field of security, especially in the fight against terrorist threats and illegal drug trafficking.

It should be noted that the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Paris for two days in October 2018 and November 2022.

Emmanuel Macron will be the second president of France to visit Uzbekistan. In 1994, the 21st president of France François Mitterrand visited Samarkand.