Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Macron Seeks Enhanced Cooperation With Kazakhstan During Central Asia Visit

POSTED ON December 30, 2023 •   Energy      BY Segun Adewole
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his intention to "accelerate cooperation" with Kazakhstan during his two-day visit to the resource-rich Central Asian region. This visit is part of France's efforts to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, where nations like Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe are vying for influence. During a press conference in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, Macron emphasized the robust partnership between the two nations and the importance of further enhancing it. He stated, "The strength (of our partnership) demonstrates the good strategic direction that has been taken, and the need to complement and accelerate it, which is the whole meaning of this visit." Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described France as his country's "key and reliable partner in the EU" and expressed his desire to give their partnership "extra impetus." The two leaders signed a series of contracts spanning various sectors, including minerals, energy, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace. Among these agreements, French energy giant EDF is in contention to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power station, a project expected to be determined by a referendum later this year. Crucial minerals essential for clean energy technologies, which the region possesses in abundance, were a prominent topic of discussion. The delegation accompanying Macron includes the head of French uranium company Orano, which already operates a mine in Kazakhstan. France is the fifth-largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan, with investments from energy conglomerate TotalEnergies in the vast Kashagan offshore oil field project contributing significantly. In 2022, trade turnover between France and Kazakhstan reached 5.3 billion euros ($5.6 billion), and Kazakhstan supplies approximately 40 percent of France's uranium requirements. Central Asia, traditionally under Russian influence and part of the Soviet Union, has garnered increased attention from other global powers, especially as Russia remains occupied with the conflict in Ukraine. Following his visit to Kazakhstan, Macron will travel to neighboring Uzbekistan, intensifying efforts to establish France's political and economic presence in the energy-rich region. China, with its "New Silk Road" initiative, has been notably active in Central Asia, but Europe and Turkey have also displayed growing interest. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to visit Astana shortly after Macron's visit, underscoring the region's significance on the global stage.
0
READ ALSO
Nigeria Takes Bold Step towards Energy Independence with Naira-Based Crude Sales Initiative
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, alongside the Federal Government’s One-Stop-Sho...

READ ALSO
IPMAN Links Rising Petrol Prices to Crude Oil Costs and Market Dynamics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associati...

READ ALSO
Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Crude Oil Prices Surge to $80 Amid Rising Tensions Between Israel and Iran
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 14, 2025 0

Amid the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, Nigeria's crude oil prices surged to nearly $8...

READ ALSO
FG to Reclaim Dormant Oil Wells as NUPRC Implements 'Drill or Drop' Policy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 13, 2025 0

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has informed oil producers of its inte...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's $5bn Crude-for-Loan Deal with Aramco Faces Major Setbacks amid Falling Oil Prices
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 11, 2025 0

A $5 billion crude-for-loan agreement between the Federal Government and Saudi Arabian oil giant Ara...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Tackles Long-Standing Power Sector Challenges - Minister Power
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 7, 2025 0

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the Bola Tinubu administration is actively a...

READ ALSO
South Africa Surpasses Nigeria in Fuel Imports Amid Dangote Refinery Operations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 29, 2025 0

Nigeria has lost its long-standing title as Africa’s largest importer of refined petroleum pro...

OUR CHANNELS:

PDP Shifts National Convention to November, Picks Ibadan Amid Internal Power Struggle
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria  – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postpo...


APC Appoints Yilwatda Nentawe as Chairman, Declares 2027 a ‘Done Deal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC)...


Osun APC, PDP Clash Over Governor Adeleke's Failed Defection Attempt
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

The Osun State branches of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Par...


Court Reinstates Benue CJ, Criticizes Alia
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

The National Industrial Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ruled that the Benue State House of Assembly's...


LASG Announces Five Major Road Projects in Alimosho to Be Completed by 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has revealed that five significant road projects in the Alimosho Local Go...


Electricity Tariffs: Power Firms Push Back Against State Negotiations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

On Wednesday, energy commissioners from all 36 states announced their willingness to engage with pow...


Two Businessmen Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two businesspersons, Emmanuel Nwanze and...


Nigeria Police Force Dismantles Notorious Arms Supply Network Linked to Bandits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully intercepted a notorious arms supply network linked to armi...


Maduka Okoye Suspended for Two Months Amid Betting Scandal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 25, 2025 0

Udinese and Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has received a two-month suspension from the Italian Fo...


APC's National Assembly Power Grows to 70 with PDP Senator Defections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The number of All Progressives Congress (APC) senators in the National Assembly increased to 70 on W...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu