As The Times of Central Asia has reported, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a state visit to Paris, during which he met with his French counterpart and held fruitful talks with representatives of major European companies.
After the bilateral talks, Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement.
“This visit is significant for us. France is a close and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union. For 34 years, our relations have acquired a strategic character. Astana and Paris have established a political dialog based on mutual understanding at all levels. Ties in trade and economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres have been strengthened; a clear legal framework has been formed. Interaction within the framework of international organizations has expanded. I am confident that our partnership, based on unshakable friendship and mutual support, will be successful in the future,” Tokayev said.
Both parties stated that they consider it necessary to develop trade and economic cooperation.
“Last year, the two countries’ trade turnover amounted to $4.2 billion. And this year, we reached this figure in 9 months. France ranks sixth in terms of investment in our country. French companies, including Alstom, Total Energies, Air Liquide, Orano, Vicat, Danone, and Lactalis, have invested heavily in Kazakhstan, reaching about $19.5 billion. Cooperation in the oil and gas, mining, industrial, construction, aviation, engineering, and health care sectors is being strengthened,” the Kazakh president said.
In addition, Tokayev met in Paris with a potential supplier of nuclear technology for the construction of nuclear power plants, the CEO of Électricité de France (EDF), Luc Remona.
According to the official website of the President of Kazakhstan, Akorda, “The French company is on the short list of potential suppliers of nuclear technology for constructing nuclear power plants. The country is considering the establishment of an international consortium as one of the potential models for the realization of this crucial project.”
President Tokayev also participated in an investment roundtable attended by the heads of France’s largest companies. “We are pleased to be one of France’s main trade, economic, and investment partners in Central Asia. Kazakhstan now accounts for more than 80% of France’s trade with the region. This year, bilateral trade volume has increased by 45%,” Tokayev said.
The President also outlined promising areas of economic ties for the two countries.
“Energy has always been a key sector of our cooperation. Astana is a major supplier of oil and uranium to the European Union and is ready to support France’s energy sovereignty further. We expect an intensified presence of French industry in Kazakhstan, with which we associate the introduction of advanced technologies in our production sphere. Given that our country is the largest uranium producer in the world, and France has extensive experience in the nuclear industry, we could cooperate in civilian nuclear energy,” Tokayev stated.
Tokayev emphasized that massive international companies are interested in implementing large-scale wind, solar, and hydropower projects in Kazakhstan. For example, Total Energies plans to invest $1.1 billion in a one-gigawatt wind farm.
According to the Kazakh president, cooperation between the republic and EU countries is gaining momentum. “As global demand for critical raw materials will quadruple by 2040, Kazakhstan can become a reliable supplier for French and European industry. We currently mine 19 of the 34 critical raw materials vital to the EU economy, including titanium, copper, magnesium, and scandium. According to forecasts, Kazakhstan’s subsoil also contains rich deposits of such rare-earth minerals as lithium, beryllium, and tantalum, which are in demand in virtually all high-tech and environmentally friendly industries,” Tokayev said.
The president also believes that developing the agro-industrial complex and cooperation in this area is extremely important in ensuring global food security.
Kazakhstan is among the ten largest grain exporters, supplying more than 80 countries with eight million tons of wheat and two million tons of flour. Thanks to a rich harvest this year, its grain export potential has increased to 12 million tons. Tokayev invited French partners to realize joint investment and technological projects in livestock breeding and seeds of grain crops. He also invited Macron to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan next year, and invited French entrepreneurs to participate in the International Forum in Astana, which will be held in May 2025. Following the meeting, the two countries’ leaders adopted a joint declaration on a strategic partnership.
Other documents were also signed, including a partnership agreement on strategic cooperation between Samruk-Kazyna JSC and Société Generale S.A. and an agreement on strategic cooperation on 6-axle electric locomotives between the Kazakhstan’s Temir Zholy JSC and Alstom Transport SA. In Paris, delegation representatives signed 36 documents, including 14 commercial ventures worth $2.2 billion.
On the eve of his visit to Paris, Tokayev published an article for the French newspaper Le Figaro, in which he explained the country’s position on global challenges and prospects for cooperation with France and the EU. In Tokayev’s opinion, one of the critical aspects of the new reality is recognition of the growing role of the group of middle powers, which includes Kazakhstan.
In the article, Tokayev recalled that Kazakhstan has long had an active foreign policy, promoting initiatives worldwide. In particular, the republic has promoted interstate negotiations, providing a platform for peaceful dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and discussing the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear program. Kazakhstan regularly organizes congresses of leaders of world religions, supporting interfaith dialogue. These initiatives, Tokayev said, unite the values of peace and solidarity that Kazakhstan shares with France.
The president also highlighted the Middle Corridor project, which links Europe and Asia through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. This transportation route will strengthen economic ties between the regions and increase the energy security of Europe, including France.
