France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R) at the Registan square in Samarkand, on November 1, 2023. French President arrived in Central Asia on November 1, aiming to boost France's profile in a region where Russia, China, Turkey and Europe are all jostling for influence. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)