PARIS – On the occasion of the recent visit to France of Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, a cooperation agreement was signed in Paris on 16 October 2012 between the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) and the Uzbek Academy of administration.

Signing of the cooperation agreement
The Uzbek delegation took also part in the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) business forum. The sides confirmed interest in enhancing contacts between business circles of both countries.
(Photo: courtesy of the French Embassy in Tashkent)

The agreement envisages cooperation in modernization of state administration and improving skills of public servants. The French model of state and administration seems attractive and well suited for the needs of the Uzbek government. The first cooperation will begin in January 2013.

ENA

According to an international classification, the École nationale d’administration ranks ninth among higher education institutions in the world, with regard to the performance of their training programmes, based on the number of alumni among the Chief Executive Officers of the 500 leading worldwide companies. It was created in 1945 by Charles de Gaulle to democratise access to the senior civil service. It is now entrusted with the selection and initial training of senior French officials. The ENA is one of the symbols of the Republican meritocracy, along with École normale supérieure and Ecole polytechnique, offering its alumni access to high positions within the state. It has now been almost completely relocated to Strasbourg to emphasise its European character.

The ENA produces around 100 graduates every year, known as énarques. ENA is seen as the method of choice to reach the administrative Grand Corps of the State. ENA also participates in international Technical Assistance programmes, funded by the EU and other donors.