IN FRANCE PAID HIGH TRIBUTE TO ISLAM KARIMOV

The memory of the great political and public figure - the First President of our country Islam Karimov forever remains in the hearts of not only the Uzbek people, but also representatives of foreign countries. Experts and distinguished persons who had met with the great son of our nation, paying high tribute to him shared their pleasant memories.

Thus, the former French Ambassador in Uzbekistan Jean-Claude Richard told the following:

— At the time when I arrived in Tashkent in September 1995, Uzbekistan was in its early stages as an independent state.

During the presentation of my credentials as Ambassador of France, the First President of your country told me: "We will pursue a policy of independence. We also want to develop cooperation with France". It was my wish to bring more dynamism to the Uzbek-French relations. Such a working mood always presented at meetings with Islam Karimov.

During my stay in your country there were many highlights. Among them – an official visit of the Head of Uzbekistan to France in April 1996 and his meeting with President Jacques Chirac which was conducted in a very warm atmosphere. During the meeting, Jacques Chirac quietly asked me what time the exhibition about Amir Temur was planned to open in Paris with the participation of Islam Karimov. And in the evening, he came to this event, although his participation was not planned.

In August 1997, I again had the honor to have a talk with the First President of Uzbekistan during the opening ceremony of an oil refinery in Bukhara which was the most important project of the time. It was built in collaboration with the French company TECHNIP and was designed to ensure the energy independence of Uzbekistan. Islam Karimov praised the work which was completed in very short time, and warmly thanked me for my contribution to the further industrial development of the country.

The first President of Uzbekistan awarded me the Order of Friendship. I will always be grateful to him for his support of the joint efforts with our Uzbek colleagues to promote cooperation and enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.

Mark Bonnell, President of the Association "Avicenna-France":

— I pay a high tribute to the First President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Thanks to his wise leadership, the people of Uzbekistan continue to live in peace and security and to this day.

I had met and talked with Islam Karimov for the first time on November 2, 2006 in Khiva, during the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Khorezm Academy of Mamun. We talked about the history and the richness of cultural relations between France and Uzbekistan. Later that evening I had the chance to be with him at the inner fortress of Khiva Ichan-Kala, and we conducted this event together with our Uzbek friends in an atmosphere of great celebration.

In May 2014 I had the honor to participate in the International scientific conference in Samarkand on the theme: "Historical heritage of scientists and thinkers of the medieval East, its role and importance for the modern civilization". In his speech at the opening ceremony the President praised the work of the Association "Avicenna-France" and thanked for their contribution to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and France.

Islam Karimov was a great statesman who headed his country in a difficult period of its formation and led the republic to the path of prosperity for the benefit of its people through profound political, economic and social reforms.

Today we remember Islam Karimov with sincere warmth and thank him for his immense contribution to the strengthening of the spirit of peace and friendship between our peoples. We will remember this always.

Jahon Information Agency, Paris