Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and
French President Emmanuel Macron held narrow and extended-format meetings with
the participation of delegations from the two countries at the Akorda
Presidential Palace. It is worth reminding that the French leader
arrived on an official visit to Kazakhstan. President Tokayev warmly welcomed
Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing that the first visit of the French leader to
Astana will give a powerful impetus to the development of bilateral relations as
well as allow bringing multifaceted cooperation to a new level.
“France is an important and
reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union. Last year, mutual trade
turnover increased by 30 percent and reached $4 billion. The figure has risen
by 21 percent to $2.7 billion for the first eight months of this year, compared
to the same period last year,” said the Kazakh President.
France has invested over $18 billion
in Kazakhstan’s economy. There are now more than 170 French companies operating
in the country. The two states are implementing joint projects in energy,
construction, machinery, aerospace, mining, nuclear, chemical and
pharmaceutical industries. Further cooperation will include such areas as green
energy, logistics, transit, agriculture, digitalization and education. During
the meeting, the Presidents of Kazakhstan and France highlighted a special date
in the history of the two countries, namely the 15th anniversary of the signing
the Strategic Partnership Agreement.
“I believe that the economic
relations between Kazakhstan and France, including in agriculture, energy and renewable
energy, will be given a new impetus. We support investments in projects which
are already underway as well as in new initiatives. Besides, our cultural and
humanitarian cooperation is developing dynamically. Specific agreements have
been reached in the field of education and science. Thus, a Kazakh-French
university is slated to start operating in September 2024,” said the French
President.
The leaders of the two countries
exchanged views on current issues of the regional and global agenda and called
for the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of conflicts. Following the talks,
the parties signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation on Strategic Minerals.
Additionally, President Tokayev proposed creating a special working group to
advance investment projects. Emmanuel Macron noted that Kazakhstan plays a significant
role in ensuring food security in the world. An important agreement was signed on
a project providing for the joint production of FMD vaccines in Kazakhstan. Furthermore,
a 1-gigawatt wind power plant will be built in the Zhambyl region with the
participation of France. The parties also signed an agreement on investment in
the production of locomotives and wagons.
