2023-11-01 21:29:22
Central Asia – French President Emmanuel Macron began a tour of Central Asia this Wednesday, November 1, 2023, with official visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Published on: 01/11/2023 – 20:29
2 min
Emmanuel Macron was in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and considered it necessary to “complete and accelerate” the “vigorous” existing strategic partnership with the main economy of the Central Asian region, a region where, according to analysts, the traditional relationship of geopolitical forces is increasingly called into question.
The French president, who upon his arrival was received by Uzbek president Shavkat Mirzioev, will hold talks with him on Thursday, in addition to participating in a Franco-Uzbek business forum.
As in Kazakhstan, Emmanuel Macron was complimentary towards his counterpart from Uzbekistan, in this case for his stance of relative independence in the regional context, where the assertion of “hegemonies” and great “unpredictability” predominate.
To which the Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev responded by stating that France was his “key and reliable partner in the European Union”.
Rich in raw materials and one of France’s main suppliers of uranium, there is “huge potential for future cooperation” with Kazakhstan.
President Macron reiterated the “great importance” of developing a “median corridor through the Caspian Sea” in order to “connect Europe and Central Asia”, as an “alternative solution to Chinese and Russian logistics routes in this landlocked region “.
Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are enthusiastic about investing in greater economic openness and balanced diplomacy, despite Moscow continuing to be an essential partner for both.
Regardless of economic openness, according to human rights organizations, both countries continue to have relatively harsh regimes in the face of demonstrations emanating from civil society, often violently. But the respective authorities claim that there is political will for greater liberalization.
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