The statement came as the president is on a two-day visit to the country to increase France’s influence in Central Asia.
Russia, China, Turkey and Europe are competing for influence in the resource-rich region.
“The strong (our partnership) shows that a good strategic direction has been chosen and that it needs to be supplemented and accelerated, which is the meaning of this visit,” Macron said during a press conference in Kazakhstan‘s capital.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, stated that France is his country’s main and most reliable partner in the European Union, and that he would like to give these relations an additional boost.
In addition, the leaders of the two countries signed several agreements in various sectors, from minerals and energy to pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
The French energy giant “EDF” claims to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant – this project should be decided in this year’s referendum.
Minerals necessary for clean energy technologies, which are abundant in the region, also took an important place in the negotiations.
During this visit, Mr. Macron’s delegation was also joined by the head of the French uranium company Orano, which already has a mine in Kazakhstan.
France is the fifth-largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan, ahead of China, thanks in particular to energy giant TotalEnergies’ contribution to the massive Kashagan offshore oil field project.
In 2022, the trade turnover between France and Kazakhstan reached 5.3 billion. euros. Astana currently supplies about 40 percent. uranium that Paris needs.
Central Asia, long under Russian influence and part of the Soviet Union, is attracting increasing interest from other powers as Moscow focuses on the war in Ukraine.
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#Macron #strengthen #cooperation #Kazakhstan
Title: Macron’s Strategic Move into Central Asia: A Bid to Counterbalance Russian and Chinese Influence
As reported in recent news articles [1, 2, 3], French President Emmanuel Macron‘s two-day visit to Kazakhstan can be seen as a bold move to strengthen France’s ties with Central Asian countries, particularly in the realm of economic cooperation. This strategic endeavor is not an isolated gesture, but rather part of a broader effort to increase France’s influence in the region, while countering the dominant presence of Russia and China.
Macron’s visit to Kazakhstan, as the world’s largest producer of uranium [1], holds significant implications for France’s energy sector. The French president’s statement, emphasizing the need to “supplement and accelerate” the partnership between the two nations [article], suggests a strong commitment to fostering closer ties and collaboration in the energy domain.
The fact that Macron chose Kazakhstan as his first stop in Central Asia underscores the country’s importance as a strategic partner. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s declaration that France is Kazakhstan’s main and most reliable partner in the European Union [article] further solidifies the notion that this partnership is a priority for both nations.
In the context of the region, it is evident that Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe are engaged in a complex game of influence and competition for resources [article]. Macron’s visit can be seen as a calculated move to position France as a key player in this rivalry, leveraging its economic prowess and diplomatic clout to secure a strong foothold in Central Asia.
From a broader perspective, this development is also indicative of the shifting global landscape, where major powers are increasingly vying for influence and resources in strategically significant regions. As Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies, France’s efforts to bolster its ties with Central Asian nations can be seen as a vital component of this larger strategy.
President Macron’s visit to Kazakhstan represents a calculated move to strengthen France’s presence in Central Asia, while also signaling a determination to counterbalance the influence of Russia and China in the region. As the European Union continues to navigate the complexities of global geopolitics, France’s proactive approach to forging strategic partnerships in Central Asia is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s economic and diplomatic interests.
References:
[1]
[2]
[3]
