French Institute In Tashkent Ceasing Operations

The French Institute in Uzbekistan will cease its operations as of June 30.

The French Embassy in Tashkent announced on June 3 that the decision to stop the institute’s operations had been made at the request of Uzbek authorities.

The reasons for the closure were not given.

According to the embassy, the French diplomatic mission "will continue acquainting the Uzbek people with the French language and culture as far as our possibilities permit."

The French Institute, known until 2011 as the Victor Hugo Center, has been operating in the Uzbek capital since 2002.

It has been running French language courses, arranging cultural events, and spreading information about educational programs, scholarships, contests, jobs, and institutions in France.

With reporting by Interfax