Support Uzbekistan in its policy of openness. Emmanuel Macron made the promise to his counterpart Chavkat Mirzioïev during the last stage of his tour in Central Asia, in this former Soviet republic of 35 million souls, isolated from the rest of the international scene for more than a quarter of century.
“Uzbekistan is transforming. We must be there. We will be there!”, the French president committed this Thursday, November 2, after a first stopover in Astana where he also called to “accelerate” the strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, and praised the refusal of any “vassalization” of the country, in particular vis-à-vis Russia, despite the “pressures” suffered.
What about the rule of law?
On the sidelines of the opening of a Franco-Uzbek business forum in Samarkand, an architectural jewel on the ancient Silk Road, Emmanuel Macron also welcomed “a clear policy of appeasement, regional stability, opening and modernization” of the economy of the former Soviet republic. And he insisted in front of his Uzbek counterpart, “the French government has confidence in (its) strategy”.
This, without any mention of the situation of the rule of law in this country, to the regime described as authoritarian by NGOs, even though the French president’s entourage had assured that the emphasis would be placed on this aspect.
Because if he brought his country out of the 25 years of isolation imposed by his predecessor, the feared Islam Karimov, of whom he was a faithful servant, President Chavkat Mirzioïev ordered the violent repression of demonstrations in July 2022. 21 people had then lost his life.
Countering the influence of China and Turkey
But it must be said that at a time when China and Turkey are gaining ground in a region hitherto dominated by Russia, Emmanuel Macron’s visit was placed under the aegis of “realpolitik”. A positioning that has paid off, since several agreements have been concluded in energy and the modernization of Uzbek infrastructure.
The French president was notably accompanied by his Minister of Industry and Commerce, Roland Lescure, but also by around fifteen business leaders, first and foremost Orano. The French uranium specialist has notably announced the first extraction activities in Uzbekistan which it aims to develop.
For its part, the French electricity giant EDF has just concluded a pre-contract for the realization of two hydroelectric projects. The French group TotalEnergies is not left out either, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the extension of the Tutly solar power plant.
Several key contracts
Enough to rejoice President Chavkat Mirzioïev who prides himself on “a new era of cooperation which is beginning” between the two countries, crowned with “mutual understanding and trust”. “The reforms are irreversible”, “we will continue our policy of openness”, he declared, assuring that he wanted to “build a democratic country”, with a “strong civil society”.
Other contracts relating to strategic minerals, the production of vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease but also the development of a major wind farm in collaboration with TotalEnergies have also been signed.
Before returning to Paris, Emmanuel Macron will visit several legendary sites in Samarkand, where the warlord Tamerlane had sumptuous buildings built in the 14th century. And to follow in the footsteps of François Mitterrand, who was the first French head of state to visit Central Asia in 1994, just three years after the breakup of the USSR.