Paris (TDI): Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron convened in Paris for a high-stakes summit that has strengthened their countries’ burgeoning ties, with a focus on enhancing trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.
The meeting reaffirmed and expanded upon existing frameworks, pointing to a new phase of diversified collaboration between the two nations.
The longstanding economic partnership between Kazakhstan and France has been underscored by major projects, such as French multinational TotalEnergies’ involvement in Kazakhstan’s Kashagan oil field.
At the summit, President Tokayev held talks with key French business leaders, seeking to channel further investments into renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology—areas critical to Kazakhstan’s development goals.
France sees Kazakhstan as a strategic partner in Central Asia and aims to deepen the relationship, aligning with Europe’s growing focus on the region.
This visit follows President Tokayev’s trip to France in November 2022, and President Macron’s reciprocation underscores the sustained momentum and shared interests in Kazakhstan–France relations.
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The summit laid the groundwork for expanded cooperation in economic, cultural, and technological domains, reflecting a commitment to a long-term partnership.
The regularity of these high-level interactions underscores a pragmatic and mutually beneficial relationship between Tokayev and Macron, marking a reliable channel for constructive diplomacy.
Kazakhstan, France Agreements
Bilateral agreements totaling $6.4 billion have now been inked, encompassing trade, cultural exchange, and industrial collaboration.
Trade between the two nations reached $4 billion from January to August this year—a 44.7% rise from the same period last year—with Kazakhstan’s exports to France increasing by 45.2% to $2.7 billion, primarily in crude oil and uranium.
As part of the latest agreements, France has been invited to join an international consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant (NPP), a move that aligns with France’s expertise in nuclear energy.
French energy giants Orano and Électricité de France (EDF), the latter known for being the world’s largest NPP operator, are expected to engage in forthcoming discussions to determine their participation in the consortium.
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This partnership, if realized, would further deepen France’s influence in Central Asia and support Kazakhstan’s balanced approach to international partnerships, which includes China, Russia, and South Korea.
The summit also underscored Kazakhstan’s evolving role as a mediator in global conflicts. With its experience in facilitating dialogue over issues such as the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict and prior Syrian negotiations, Kazakhstan has emerged as a potential intermediary in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Both leaders discussed the potential for expanded diplomatic coordination, signaling Kazakhstan’s growing profile as a stabilizing force in international affairs.
With a focus on broadening cooperation, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and technology, the summit is expected to propel the Kazakhstan-France relationship to new heights, building a foundation for lasting diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchange.
