Macron Seeks Enhanced Cooperation With Kazakhstan During Central Asia Visit

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.