Uzbekistan - France's next stop in Central Asian shopping tour for energy resources

In the course of French President Emmanuel Macron's tour through Central Asia, he announced on November 1 that France and Uzbekistan would establish a strategic partnership without providing specific details about it yet.

As reported by TVP World, the two countries discussed collaborative projects in agriculture and uranium, as Uzbekistan is the world's fifth-largest uranium producer on which France heavily relies.

Uzbekistan has chosen not to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has pledged to adhere to Western sanctions, despite maintaining close ties with Moscow. Macron praised the reforms undertaken by Uzbek President Shavkar Mirziyoyev and expressed a commitment to significant investments, a move perceived by Russia as Western attempts to engage with its traditional allies.

During the visit, discussions with French executives focused on various projects, including a dairy plant by Lactalis in Namangan, a joint venture with Boehringer Ingelheim, and the establishment of agricultural logistics centers in Uzbekistan by Semmaris. Additionally, there were talks about expanding cooperation with French nuclear company Orano in uranium exploration and mining. France's reliance on nuclear power makes these initiatives crucial for diversifying its uranium supply and reducing dependence on Russian sources.