Photo: Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in an official ceremony in Paris, where a street was named after Samarkand. The event was held during his meeting with Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of the French capital, according to the presidential press service.
Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to Hidalgo for inscribing the name of the ancient Uzbek city on the map of Paris. He also congratulated her on the successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which took place in the French capital last summer.
During their discussions, the two leaders covered a broad range of topics, including:
✅ Urban planning
✅ Expansion of green spaces
✅ Public transportation development
✅ Digitalization of city infrastructure
✅ Modernization and maintenance of urban utilities
✅ Cultural exchanges, including exhibitions, cultural days, and gastronomic festivals
As a symbol of Mirziyoyev’s visit, the two officials signed a joint document, granting him the status of Honorary Guest of Paris. This commemorative certificate will be added to the museum collection of the Paris City Hall.
The topic of urban transport cooperation was also advanced at a separate meeting between Sharof Rakhmonov, Deputy Mayor of Tashkent, and Laurent Saint-Martin, France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Affairs of French Nationals Abroad.
📌 Key outcome: The officials signed a roadmap for the reintroduction of a tram system in Tashkent.
📌 Preliminary details: The French company Alstom is expected to oversee the construction of a new tram line, featuring modern, quiet, and safe tramcars.
The initiative reflects a broader push to modernize Uzbekistan’s urban infrastructure while enhancing cooperation between the capitals of the two nations.
