Overview
- French President Emmanuel Macron is touring Central Asia, strengthening economic ties and securing essential resources with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan amid geopolitical tensions.
- Following a military coup in Niger, France leverages its partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to secure uranium for its nuclear industry, with Kazakhstan as the world's largest producer of uranium.
- Kazakhstan, now a major petroleum supplier to the EU due to a reduction in Russian oil exports, also holds strategic importance for France in maintaining energy supplies.
- Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are demonstrating greater economic openness and balanced diplomacy, with Macron's visit aimed at supporting their interest in diversifying partnerships.
- Macron's visit to Central Asia also contributes to the strategic competition for influence in the region amongst global powers such as Russia, China, and Turkey.