Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The French diplomatic mission in Tashkent has announced the appointment of Walid Fouque as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Uzbekistan.

In his first address to the people of Uzbekistan, Mr. Fouque emphasized the importance of the historic rapprochement between the two countries and expressed his commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership.

He acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Aurélie Bousquet, in developing Franco-Uzbek relations over the past four years and highlighted the achievements of bilateral engagement, including the visit of the President of France to Samarkand in 2023 and the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Paris in March 2025, which concluded with the signing of strategic partnership agreements.

In his speech, the new ambassador focused on economic priorities. He noted major projects by French companies in the fields of energy, urban and water resource management, and the aerospace industry. A particular emphasis, according to Mr. Fouque, is placed on the recently established Young Franco-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce, inaugurated in April 2024.

Mr. Fouque also outlined plans to expand cultural and educational cooperation. French Alliances in Tashkent and Samarkand continue to promote Francophonie, the French Lyceum in the capital remains a key educational center, and the opening of the Franco-Uzbek University is expected to stimulate academic exchanges. Furthermore, a Franco-Uzbek Cultural Center is planned in the near future, which will serve as a significant platform for bilateral collaboration.

The new ambassador stressed that the embassy’s mission will maintain close contact with the French community, safeguarding its rights and interests. He encouraged citizens to register in the consular registry of French nationals living abroad and to follow the embassy’s activities on social media to actively participate in strengthening France-Uzbekistan relations.

Walid Fouque assured that he is ready to meet personally with community members and work alongside them to promote Franco-Uzbek friendship, highlighting the role of civic initiatives and projects as a key element of the bilateral partnership.

Previously, Walid Fouque served as the Advisor to the President of France on Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Since joining the Élysée Palace in 2020, he has held the position of Deputy Director of the French Foreign Ministry for the Far East from 2019 to 2020 and served as a diplomatic advisor at the French Embassy in China from 2014 to 2017.