French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev (right) in Astana on November 1, 2023 (POOL / Stanislav FILIPPOV)
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Wednesday in Kazakhstan to strengthen the “strategic partnership” with Central Asia’s largest economy, which is seeking to diversify its ties amid the struggle for influence between major powers in that region.
On the first day of this visit, which will also take him to neighboring Uzbekistan, in Astana, the Kazakh capital, Mr Macron underlined the “strength” of relations with this former Soviet republic, rich in natural resources, while stressing the “need “To do this.” Complete and speed it up.
He also welcomed Kazakhstan’s “refusal” to follow the “path of vassalization behind a few powers (…) in a world where the great powers want to become hegemonic and where regional powers are becoming unpredictable.”
“I do not underestimate the geopolitical difficulties, the pressure and sometimes the crush that you might face. France looks at you with great consideration, respect and friendship,” he said. The time at which Russia’s traditional influence in Central Asia is now reached is contested particularly by China, the European Union and Turkey.
“France is our most important and reliable partner in the European Union,” said Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev, while Astana is one of the main suppliers of uranium to France.
Emmanuel Macron recalled “the great importance” of developing a “middle corridor across the Caspian Sea” to “connect Europe and Central Asia,” an alternative to Chinese and Russian logistics routes in this landlocked region.
– military radars –
Arriving in the snow in Astana, the Kazakh capital with futuristic architecture in the middle of the steppe, Mr Macron becomes the first French president to visit Kazakhstan since François Hollande in 2014.
Emmanuel Macron was accompanied by a large business delegation, including the CEOs of EDF (electricity), Suez (water) and Orano (uranium).
Several contracts have been signed in the areas of strategic minerals – with collaboration in geological research -, pharmaceuticals, energy – with the joint development of a large wind farm with TotalEnergies – or even industry – with the Alstom group – and culture, promoting the French language.
The Elysée also announced the delivery of GM 400 military radars, manufactured by Thalès “at the service of the sovereignty” of Kazakhstan, which will be assembled in this country, which shares more than 7,500 kilometers with Russia and is a member of a joint military alliance.
As the Kazakh Energy Minister confirmed on Wednesday, EDF is among the candidates for the project of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, the construction of which must be confirmed by referendum by the end of the year.
France is the fifth foreign investor in Kazakhstan ahead of China, in particular due to the creation of the oil company TotalEnergies, which jointly exploits the important Kachagan deposit in the Caspian Sea.
Bilateral trade amounted to 5.3 billion euros in 2022, mainly in hydrocarbons. Kazakhstan also supplies almost 40% of its uranium to France.
– Moscow is watching –
Emmanuel Macron (l) pets Tazi greyhounds, Kazakh hunting dogs, during an exhibition in Astana, November 1, 2023 (AFP / Ludovic MARIN)
Critical metals, which are crucial for the energy transition and in which the region is rich, are also the focus of discussions with Uzbekistan, which is one of France’s main suppliers of uranium.
Uranium specialist Orano, which already operates a mine in Kazakhstan, also wants to increase its presence, while Kazakhstan alone produces 43% of total production, according to the World Nuclear Association.
Central Asia, long a Russian territory, is passionately courted by the major powers, while Russia enjoys a monopoly through its military offensive in Ukraine.
In this game of influences, neighboring China has gained a head start with its large “New Silk Roads” infrastructure project. But Europe and Turkey are also advancing their farmers, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be in Astana on Friday.
Building on this enthusiasm, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are relying on economic openness and balanced diplomacy to prevail, even as Moscow remains an important partner.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Kazakhstan is a “sovereign country that establishes its diplomatic relations at its own discretion.”
Aside from their economic openness, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan remain authoritarian regimes where repression of demonstrations is often violent despite a stated desire for political liberalization.