The rest of the delegation left on Monday, but Emmanuel Macron will be a little late in the United States. The French president has decided to delay his arrival in Washington to welcome Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the newly re-elected president of Kazakhstan, to Paris. The visit “will have a very political and strategic objective”, it is argued at the Elysée. This is “to consolidate our relationship, to amplify our dialogue in a difficult context also for the countries of Central Asia”, we explain. Moreover, this visit comes less than a week after the visit of another head of state in the region, Uzbek President Chavkat Mirzioev.
“We continue to (…) show our Central Asian partners the importance we attach to their region which is today wedged between China and Russia, and which needs to open up new horizons” , indicates the Elysée Palace, recalling that France and Kazakhstan have had a partnership since 2008. And, further proof of French interest in this pivotal area, that Paris and Europe do not want to leave to Russian, Chinese, Turkish or American influences, Emmanuel Macron spoke on Saturday with another head of state in the region, Emomali Rahmon, president of Tajikistan.
Getting Central Asia out of Russian influence
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has just come out of a meeting with Vladimir Putin. Kazakhstan, a country traditionally in Russia’s sphere of influence, has so far adopted a balanced stance on the war in Ukraine, not backing Moscow without placing itself on the Western line. During this meeting in Paris, “Ukraine will be high on the agenda, as well as the situation in Central Asia, the subject of connectivity, Afghanistan”, a country in crisis in the hands of the Taliban, estimates a government source Kazakh.
On the economic side, agreements could be announced in the field of energy, transport and perhaps infrastructure because Kazakhstan intends to play an increasing role in the flow of goods between Europe and China. “The interest of Europeans for Central Asia is energy resources while Russian hydrocarbons are under embargo (…), and the transport corridors between China and the EU”, summarizes Michael Levystone, associate researcher at Ifri specializes in Central Asia. On the other hand, “the sanctions against the Russian economy encourage the countries of Central Asia to want to diversify their partnerships on the international scene”.
Rare earths, uranium and the “central corridor”
“In light of the current uncertainties regarding energy security in Europe, for example, Kazakhstan is determined to continue playing the role of a reliable and trustworthy energy partner,” according to the Kazakh source. Nuclear, photovoltaics, rare earths, infrastructures… Kazakhstan intends to multiply the factors of links with France and Europe, one player among many to bet on Central Asia. Russia, China, Turkey, as well as the United States are eyeing this strategic region.
In Paris, “we are awaiting the signing of several commercial agreements”, according to the Kazakh source, citing an agreement for the ramp-up of Alstom’s locomotive factory in Astana, or another for a photovoltaic installation in the South of the country. Discussions are also expected in the nuclear field since the country, one of the main exporters of uranium, wants to have a nuclear power plant, the source said.
Finally, the two countries could move forward on the “central corridor” project, which should open up a new vector of trade between Europe and Asia while the northern route passes through Russia, which has been ostracized by the West, and that Iran, also under sanctions, locks down the southern Caspian. “This is the next strong point in our relationship with Europe,” said the Kazakh source.