Astana, 1 November 2023 (TDI): The President of France, Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on November 1.
The President of France was received and welcomed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov at the airport, from where he was led to the Akorda residence to meet with the President of Kazakhstan.
Then, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was greeted by the French President at the Akorda residence.
At the Akorda residence, the Guard of Honour was lined up to meet the high guest at the ceremonial hall, and the Presidential Orchestra performed the two countries’ national anthems.
The President of Kazakhstan while welcoming the French President, stated, “Thank you for accepting my invitation and coming to Kazakhstan on an official visit. Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France is developing well.
However, it is necessary to give a new impetus to bilateral relations. Therefore, it can be said that your visit is historic and very important. I am sure that today’s talks will be productive.”
In response, the French President expressed the readiness to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and to hold negotiations on international issues while reiterating commitment to the UN Charter.
Within the framework of the French President’s visit to Kazakhstan, the leaders of the two countries held talks in a closed format meeting discussing the current situation and development prospects of the Kazakh-French strategic partnership.
Moreover, special attention was paid to strengthening political dialogue, and expanding cooperation in trade-economic, investment, energy, transport-logistics, and cultural-humanitarian spheres between France and Kazakhstan.
In addition to that, the French President is also expected to visit universities in Kazakhstan as well.
After the completion of the visit to Kazakhstan, the French President will be traveling to Samarkand in neighboring Uzbekistan where he will stay until November 2, to hold bilateral talks.
Also read: Kazakhstan-France to Strengthen Partnership
France and Kazakhstan have held strong economic relations that could be reflected through analyzing the volume of bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries which have ranged from $2.5 billion to $6.5 billion per year over the past decade, with Kazakhstani exports accounting for 80-90 percent of the total volume.
Furthermore, by the end of 2022, trade volume stood at $4 billion, an increase of 30.4 percent over the previous year, with Kazakhstan’s exports reaching $3.1 billion and imports reaching $916.5 million.
Also, about 170 companies with French capital operate successfully in Kazakhstan, including such large groups as Total, Orano, Alstom, Danone, Vicat, Saint Gobain, and others implementing high-tech projects.
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