French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in an effort to strengthen bilateral trade relations and enhance cooperation in the field of energy security, as reported by Bloomberg. The visit is scheduled to take place on November 1-2 and Macron’s primary objective is to reduce France’s reliance on Russian gas imports. One notable area of cooperation is the expansion of the activities of French company Orano in Kazakhstan. The company, a major supplier of French nuclear power plants, had to halt operations in one of its mining sites in Niger due to security concerns related to ongoing military activities in the region, according to the report.

In the words of Michael Lüders, an expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, “Kazakhstan serves as France’s energy security valve.” This underscores the significance of Macron’s visit to Kazakhstan. Another aim of the French president’s visit is to influence former Soviet countries to decrease their dependence on Russia. The report highlights that the operation of the French company in Ukraine has “undermined the established agreements in the region and may lead to potential retaliatory measures.”

Bloomberg notes that Macron’s efforts to diversify France’s economy have resulted in him becoming not only a major financial partner for the country but also its second largest foreign investor. Therefore, his visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan serves as an important step towards strengthening economic ties and exploring new opportunities for mutual growth and development.