PARIS: President of France, Emmanuel Macron embarks on a significant journey to Central Asia, with visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as he aims to strengthen France’s presence in a region where major powers, including Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe, are competing for influence.
Macron’s journey commences with his arrival in the Kazakh capital, Astana. He is scheduled to hold talks with his counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, followed by the signing of key contracts, spanning pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
In a testament to France’s strategic interest in the energy-rich region, Macron will engage with university students and later journey to Samarkand in neighboring Uzbekistan, where he will remain until Thursday.
At the core of this visit is France’s aspiration to leave its political and economic footprint on the region. A noteworthy development on the horizon is the potential involvement of French energy giant EDF in the construction of Kazakhstan’s inaugural nuclear power station—a project subject to a pivotal referendum later this year.
The discussions will also encompass critical minerals, vital for clean energy technologies, which Central Asia possesses in abundance. The head of the French uranium company Orano, already operating a mine in Kazakhstan, is part of Macron’s delegation.
France stands as the fifth-largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan, surpassing China. This prominence is largely attributed to the engagement of energy giant TotalEnergies in the massive Kashagan offshore oil field project. Trade turnover between France and Kazakhstan reached 5.3 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in 2022, with Kazakhstan serving as a significant supplier of France’s uranium requirements, contributing to about 40 percent of the nation’s needs.
Central Asia, historically influenced by Russia and once part of the Soviet Union, has now become a focal point for other global powers. Russia’s attention is occupied by its conflict in Ukraine, leaving room for countries like China, Europe, and Turkey to increase their involvement. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to visit Astana shortly after Macron’s visit, further underscoring the region’s growing significance.
Macron’s visit aligns with the goals of both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which aim for increased economic openness and balanced diplomacy, while still maintaining Russia as a primary partner.
“Macron’s visit aims to support the interest in a diversification of partnerships expressed by both countries,” as stated by a source in the French presidency.
While both Central Asian nations express a desire for political liberalization, they remain authoritarian states where protests are often met with violence. In 2022, crackdowns on riots led to the loss of 238 lives in Kazakhstan and 21 in Uzbekistan. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put an end to two decades of isolation enforced by his predecessor but has yet to witness the emergence of genuine political opposition.
Macron’s approach highlights the “reform dynamic” taking shape in the region, and he has affirmed that issues related to the rule of law will be discussed during his visit, emphasizing France’s commitment to engaging with Central Asia’s evolving landscape.
