France's Internal-Security Attaché for Central Asia Starts Work in Tashkent
Cyril Gou is France's only internal-security attaché in the region. His mandate covers five Central Asian states and areas from organised crime and cybercrime to migration.
France's Interior Ministry representative Cyril Gou has begun work in Tashkent. He is France's only internal-security attaché in Central Asia. His first official meeting, on 17 September, was with the leadership of the International Cooperation Department of Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry (MVD).
Mandate and scope
The attaché has a regional remit covering five states: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Per Gazeta.uz, the post was created in 2025, following meetings between the two countries' presidents, to strengthen technical cooperation.
Areas of work
His duties include training internal-security personnel and combating organised crime, cybercrime, drug trafficking, protection of senior officials, counterterrorism, border security, irregular-migration networks, civil protection and road safety.
The officer appointed to this position has regional responsibility for all of Central Asia and is authorised to address all matters of common interest.
— Statement of the French Embassy (Tashkent, September 2026)
Context
Technical cooperation between the French and Uzbek interior ministries existed before this appointment. The 17 September meeting covered personnel training, exchange of experience and organising high-level visits, with both sides agreeing to intensify interaction.
In brief
- Who: Cyril Gou, France's Interior Ministry representative (internal-security attaché)
- Based: Tashkent (French Embassy)
- Region: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
- Post created: 2025
- First meeting: 17 September 2026, with Uzbekistan's MVD
