Kazakhstan and France celebrated their enduring partnership as Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Emmanuel Macron held a joint press conference after a series of productive bilateral discussions, TuraNews.kz reports.
During the press briefing, President Tokayev expressed his gratitude to President Macron for accepting the invitation to visit Kazakhstan, highlighting the pivotal role that France plays as a key and dependable partner for Kazakhstan in Europe. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, and Tokayev emphasized the importance of further strengthening cooperation based on friendship and mutual support.
The Presidents’ discussions yielded concrete agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral ties. France is a major trade partner for Kazakhstan, with trade turnover between the two countries increasing by 21% in the first eight months of this year, reaching $2.7 billion. France is also a significant foreign investor, having contributed around $18.7 billion in investments to Kazakhstan over the past 15 years. Both countries are actively engaged in various sectors, including energy, atomic industry, mining, chemical industry, mechanical engineering, construction, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals. Over 170 French companies, such as Alstom, Total Energies, Orano, and Vicat, operate successfully in Kazakhstan.
Additionally, the discussions encompassed the transition to a green economy and climate change issues. President Tokayev presented concrete proposals meeting the interests of both nations, expressing Kazakhstan’s readiness to collaborate within the French initiative, the One Planet Summit.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation were also a focal point of the talks, with the Presidents agreeing on educational and scientific projects. They exchanged views on current regional and global issues, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution.
President Macron thanked President Tokayev for the invitation to visit Kazakhstan and underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He noted that Kazakhstan and France share similar positions on numerous issues and commended Kazakhstan’s role in ensuring global food security.
Several significant agreements were signed between the two nations, further cementing their partnership. These included an agreement to establish and operate a group of the French Development Agency in Kazakhstan, an agreement to establish international (French) schools in Kazakhstan and offer French language education in secondary educational facilities, a joint declaration of intent on cooperation in strategic minerals, and agreements on vaccine production, wind power stations, and railway locomotive manufacturing and service maintenance.
President Macron’s official visit to Kazakhstan underscores the deepening of ties and cooperation between the two nations, and he was warmly welcomed by Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov upon his arrival at the Kazakh capital.
The leaders held private talks at the Akorda presidential palace, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.
