France - African States: some aspects of decentralized cooperation

This study examines a new phenomenon in the history of relations between France and its former colonies - the implementation in recent years of decentralized cooperation programs with African states, in particular, the interaction of French regions, as administrativeterritorial units, with African partners. The study provides a brief overview of the history of the French colonial empire, which allowed the author to distinguish several stages in its management and functioning. The research method was the study of cooperation programs in various spheres initiated by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, state agencies, regional councils, as well as international associations of territorial entities, along with specific examples of cooperation, particularly the signing of agreements directly between the French regions and the central authorities of African nations. As a result of this study, the author concludes that experience of decentralization of France’s foreign policy activities can be partially used in the Russian Federation foreign policy practice.