Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron visited the branch of the French Alliance in Samarkand city.

The French Alliance, a non-governmental, non-profit organization promoting the French language and culture, was created in Paris in 1883 on the initiative of such prominent people as Jules Verne and Louis Pasteur. Today, there are more than 800 French alliances in 137 countries.

The first branch of the Alliance in Uzbekistan was opened in the city of Tashkent in 2015. To further develop bilateral cooperation in cultural and language exchange, a second branch was organized in Samarkand.

During the visit, the Head of state ceremonially cut the ribbon and opened the center.

The presidents got acquainted with the capabilities of the modernly equipped center, which will organize courses in French language and literature and can accommodate up to 200 people who want to join the culture of France.

Confidence was expressed that the activities of the Alliance in Samarkand will contribute to further rapprochement and strengthen the friendship between the people of the two countries.