French President Emmanuel Macron visited Kazakhstan as part of a two-day tour of Central Asia, marking a significant diplomatic move to strengthen partnership with Kazakhstan and secure uranium supply.
The French leader met Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the opulent residence of Akorda on November 1, 2023, holding talks to “accelerate cooperation” in key sectors.
Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov extended a warm welcome to Macron upon his arrival at Astana’s airport and hoped the visit would enhance the already strong bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries.
Collaboration in energy and critical minerals
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the development of trade and investment opportunities and collaboration in the energy sector, emphasizing the potential for growth and cooperation in these key areas.
🇰🇿🇫🇷 President of France @EmmanuelMacron , who is on an official visit to #Kazakhstan, was greeted at the #Akorda residence.
— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Press Office (@aqorda_press) November 1, 2023
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Emmanuel Macron introduced the members of the delegations. The Head of the Honor Guard gave a welcome report to the leaders,… pic.twitter.com/Ji2OGCSDbl
The two leaders also signed numerous agreements covering economic sectors, including critical minerals vital for clean energy technologies, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace.
They also signed a joint declaration of intent focused on “strategic minerals.” The two presidents also signed a contract on a joint venture for a project to build wind power plants with a total capacity of 1 GW with an energy storage system, and an investment agreement on the production and maintenance of railway locomotives and rolling stock, and components for railway equipment in Kazakhstan.
France keen to expand uranium supply
Macron reportedly expressed interest in expanding the supply of uranium from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for French nuclear facilities, which becomes essential due to disruptions in uranium supplies from Niger and Russia.
“The strength [of our partnership] demonstrates the good strategic direction that has been taken, and the need to complement and accelerate it,” Macron said at a news conference after the meeting.
Last month, French nuclear firm Orano signed a protocol reported to be worth up to €1.6 billion ($1.7billion) with Mongolia that paves the way for the for the development and operation of a uranium mine project in Mongolia. The signing ceremony at the Elysée Palace on October 12, 2023, was attended by French President Macron and President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh.
France and Kazakhstan expand coopertaion
President Tokayev, addressing the news conference, called France a “key and reliable partner” in the European Union and said he would seek to give the partnership “extra impetus”.
Tokayev also highlighted the robust economic ties between France and Kazakhstan. “For 8 months of this year, the trade volume between our countries increased by 21% compared to last year and reached $2.7 billion.
“France is also among our main foreign investors,” he stated while underscoring the significance of their trade relationship.
🇰🇿🇫🇷 Қазақстан мен Франция президенттері шағын құрамда келіссөз жүргіздіhttps://t.co/lDbMshPnQL pic.twitter.com/sQwxI9g0pV
— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Press Office (@aqorda_press) November 1, 2023
Key Points
- France is the fifth-biggest foreign investor in Kazakhstan having invested $18.7 billion in the country over the past 15 years through more than 170 French companies.
- The collaboration extends to various sectors, including energy, nuclear, mining, chemical, engineering, construction, aerospace, and pharmaceutical industries.
- The longstanding relationship includes the massive Kashagan offshore oilfield project partnered with French energy giant TotalEnergies, as well as a uranium mine run by French company Orano, the head of which is among Macron’s delegation.
Macron visits Uzbekistan
In the next phase of the visit, the French president landed in Uzbekistan on Wednesday (November 1) evening.
In Samarkand, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in Uzbekistan on an official visit, the Uzbek president’s press service reported. The two leaders took a stroll through Samarkand at night and visited the Registan architectural ensemble, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The high-level talks between the delegations of two countries took place on November 2.
Macron is the second leader of France to visit Uzbekistan after former French President Francois Mitterrand’s visit in 1994.