Uzbek-French relations: A new dimension

 

 

The cultural and humanitarian component occupies an important place in the Uzbek-French relations. Twin-city relations have been established between the cities of Samarkand and Lyon, Khiva and Versailles, Bukhara and Rouey-Malmaison. In 2019, an "Uzbek garden" was opened in the central park of the city of Ruey-Malmaison, on the territory of which a monument to Abu Ali Ibn Sina was erected.

 

In cultural and humanitarian cooperation at the present stage, the following aspects can be distinguished.

 

First. Much attention is paid to the study of the French language, literature and culture in Uzbekistan. Currently, about three thousand teachers working in the field of secondary specialized and higher education, teach French to approximately 300 thousand schoolchildren and students. French is taught in 812 schools in Uzbekistan and 6 specialized schools. At 8 universities, departments of French or Romance languages have been established, where students study French as their main language, many students study it as a second foreign language. It is gratifying to note that in 2019 the specialized school No.43 of the city of Samarkand was named after the citizen of France Lucien Kuren, the founder of the Association for the Study of History and Art of the Timurid Era.

 

An important role in development of the French language and culture in Uzbekistan, as well as in strengthening the Uzbek-French cooperation is assigned to the successfully operating in the country – the French alliance and the French school. With the support of the French Embassy in Tashkent, workshops and professional development courses are systematically organized for French teachers with participation of French specialists, both in Uzbekistan and in France. Events aimed at popularizing the French language and culture are held, namely the Francophonie holiday, school and student theater festivals, the Day of European Languages. In particular, within the framework of the Francophonie holiday in 2019, a nationwide dictation in French was held in Uzbekistan for the first time among learners of the French language.

 

 

It is gratifying to note that in 2019, by the decision of the French government, four representatives of educational institutions of Uzbekistan were awarded the Order of the Academic Palms (Knight Commander) of the French Republic, whose history dates back to the era of Napoleon I. It is awarded to French citizens for their outstanding achievements in the field of education, as well as to foreign citizens who distinguished themselves by their activities to popularize the French language and culture.

 

Second. Interuniversity and academic cooperation is strengthening. In recent years, interuniversity relations have been established with such educational institutions of France as the universities of Paris-Sud, Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne, Paris II Pantheon-Assas, Paris IV Sorbonne, University of Grenoble, University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, University of Brittany-Sud, National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations, University of Toulouse, Institute for Political Studies of Toulouse, Higher National School of Architecture of Versailles and others. It should be noted either the productive ties between the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan and the National School of the French Administration.

 

Courses for teaching the Uzbek language have been opened at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations at the Sorbonne University. Since 2019, three faculties, branches of French educational institutions have been operating in Uzbekistan. The exchange of students and teachers is implemented; joint academic events including online webinars are organized. Joint educational programs have been launched between a number of universities in Uzbekistan and France, which enable students to study in two countries and receive two diplomas. Along with this, academic cooperation with French universities is being strengthened within the framework of the European Union projects "Erasmus+". In particular, since January 2020, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, in partnership with the Franco-American Business School (Lyon), has been participating in "Erasmus+" program for international credit mobility, designed for three years.

 

 

Third. Relations in the field of archeology and preservation of cultural heritage are actively developing. Four French archaeological missions are working in cooperation with archaeologists of Uzbekistan: the French-Uzbek archaeological mission of Sogdiana; the French-Uzbek archaeological mission of Northern Bactriana; the French archaeological mission Ayakagitma on Neolithization in Central Asia; French-Uzbek archaeological mission in the oasis of Bukhara. The missions are active in Samarkand, Termez, Kyzylkum desert, Paikend and Romitan settlements. These projects are funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. French partners also assist in the implementation of projects for the restoration of cultural heritage sites in Uzbekistan. One of them is the project for the restoration of the fresco “Ambassadors” in the Afrosiab Museum.

 

Fourth. The Fund for the Development of Culture and Art under the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the Center for Research and Restoration of Museums of France have established cooperation, including scientific research in the field of the history of art and culture, scientific support in the creation of a laboratory for the analysis of cultural values of Uzbekistan. Also, work is underway in organizing and holding exhibitions and conferences, both in France and in Uzbekistan.

 

 

Fifth. In 2018, the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan were held in France. Concert programs, video presentations about the tourism potential and cultural heritage of our country, exhibitions of art objects and other events held in the French city of Bourges aroused interest and a lively response from visitors. More than 50 famous masters of arts from our country took part in the event, which brought together three thousand spectators. Great attention of the public was attracted by bright musical evenings, at which stars of the folklore and ethnographic ensemble, classical and traditional singing performed by talented musicians and dancers. The offer to re-host the Days of Uzbek Culture in this city was a vivid evidence of the success of the events.

 

 

Sixth. From May 22 to June 5, 2019, representatives of the fashion industry of Uzbekistan for the first time underwent training at the International Academy of Fashion and Design in Paris (AICP). Upon completion of professional development courses, Uzbek specialists were awarded diplomas of this prestigious educational institution. The agreement on organizing the internships was reached during the visit of the Uzbek delegation under the leadership of Sharq Liboslari Design Center to Paris in February 2018 to participate in Texworld Paris international exhibition of fabrics and accessories.

 

As part of the internship program, Uzbek specialists took part in master classes and practical classes by leading designers of well-known brands such as Givenchy, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, working closely with AICP.

 

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Accordingly, the Uzbek-French relations are characterized by dynamism, strategic focus and the emergence of promising directions. It can be stated without exaggeration that the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to France played a big role in this, which became a logical continuation of the work that has intensified in recent years to give a qualitatively new character and direction to Uzbek-French relations.

 

A serious impact on the coming of Uzbek-French relations to a new level is exerted, firstly, by the closeness of the Action Strategy being implemented in Uzbekistan with the reform program of the French leader. Secondly, the approaches of the two states to solving the main international and regional problems are close or coincide. This contributes to the development of new forms of regional and international cooperation, joint counteraction to new challenges and threats of our time.

 

Breakthrough results in Uzbek-French relations were achieved in a number of areas of cooperation. Firstly, economic diplomacy has intensified between the countries, and parliamentary diplomacy established in previous years has received an impetus. Secondly, a gradual increase in the volume of mutual trade, an increase in the tourist flow and the interest of French business circles. The implementation of high-tech investment projects aimed at industrial and technological modernization of the economy of Uzbekistan has begun. This contributes to improving the image of the renewed Uzbekistan in the international arena.

 

 

The regional policy of Uzbekistan, aimed at achieving constructive and good-neighborly relations with the countries of Central Asia, has created a completely different regional environment that contributes to the achievement of the goals of French foreign policy in the Central Asian direction.

 

The new reality of bilateral relations is only the beginning of further development of relations, since many resources still have to be activated. The ongoing changes in international relations, the beginning of the global economic crisis associated with the pandemic, began to increase the role of France in Europe, and Uzbekistan in Eurasia.

 

It is here that new opportunities and conditions appear for further development of bilateral relations. France as the locomotive of the European Union, and Uzbekistan as a system-forming factor in Central Asia can play a strategic role between Europe and Asia.