Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday November 5 that he had “ common concerns » on Ukraine with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, received on a state visit to Paris, but also an ally of Moscow, and offered France’s help to Astana in the development of civil nuclear power.
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A year after the French president’s trip to Kazakhstanthe two men met at the Élysée with the common desire to strengthen the “ strategic partnership » between France and the Central Asian country, economic and military ally of the Russiawith which it shares more than 7,500 kilometers of common border. Emmanuel Macron mentioned “ deep convergences on major international challenges “.
In a joint statement, the two presidents thus “ underlined their unwavering commitment to international law and the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of all States, as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes “.
The Frenchman emphasized that this applied to the war in Ukrainetriggered by the Russian invasion in 2022. ” What is at stake in Ukraine is indeed the primacy of international law over the right of the strongest, and also has serious consequences for nuclear safety, food security and respect for human rights. And I know in this regard our common concerns, our common vision “, he insisted.
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Several agreements and contracts concluded
Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev limited himself to asserting to the press, in general terms, that he was “ necessary to resolve » ongoing conflicts « by peaceful and politico-diplomatic means “.
Several agreements and contracts have been concluded, including one by the French group Alstom, present since 2010 in Kazakhstan, to supply electric locomotives. Initiated last year in Astana, a roadmap on a strategic partnership on critical minerals for the period 2024-2026 was also signed.
The French president also proposed the “ availability » and the “ know-how » of France and its companies in Kazakhstan for “ move forward » towards the development of nuclear energy, after a referendum which has just opened the way to the construction of the first power station in this country, the world’s leading producer of uranium, but lacking electricity.
While immigration is one of the main issues of the French government, the two countries have also signed an agreement “ on readmission » by Kazakhstan of its nationals expelled from France, “ with very favorable procedural provisions and deadlines » according to the Élysée, which emphasizes that this is the first agreement of this type with a Central Asian state.
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