French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday expressed understanding for the geopolitical pressures Kazakhstan may face due to its close relationship with Russia, while supporting the Central Asian nation’s decision to diversify its international partnerships.
“I do not underestimate the geopolitical difficulties, the pressures… that Kazakhstan may be subjected to,” Macron said following the signing of a series of economic agreements with Kazakhstan and his meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Akorda Palace.
Macron noted that Paris regards Kazakhstan with “great consideration, respect, and friendship” for its chosen path amid “Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.” He praised Kazakhstan’s approach of refusing “to be the vassal of some powers, instead building multiple and balanced alliances with many, for the benefit of the Kazakh people.”
The French leader views this as the “path of the future,” a philosophy shared by France, a country that “loves to choose its friends, respects them in the long term, stands by them when needed, and respects their independence.”
“And in a world where major powers would like to become hegemonies again, and where regional powers are becoming unpredictable, it is good to have friends who embrace this philosophy,” Macron emphasized.
Macron, who pointed out that the meeting with Tokayev in Astana marks 15 years since the formalization of the strategic partnership between their countries, called for “completing and accelerating” the strategic decisions made during this period.
He referenced the “many crises and imbalances” currently facing the world, specifically the Middle East crisis due to the war between Israel and the armed wing of the Islamist movement Hamas, and the “war of aggression launched by Russia in Ukraine.”
Both France and Kazakhstan, Macron stressed, support multilateralism, adherence to the UN Charter, and an international order based on law and respect for territorial integrity.
The French president thanked Tokayev for his stance on the Russian war in Ukraine, as the Kazakh head of state has repeatedly emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.
Macron also highlighted the need for “a stable situation” in the South Caucasus, where the Karabakh army recently surrendered to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces following a 24-hour Azeri military operation to regain full control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
“We need a stable situation in the South Caucasus, where we have seen in recent weeks uninhibited use of force against the civilian population,” he said, noting that while negotiation paths are open for a peace treaty, “threats have not ceased.”
“We must work together to create the conditions for this stability by unequivocally reaffirming our support for the negotiation-based establishment of a just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, grounded in mutual recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders,” Macron stressed.
The French president made this statement while acknowledging the significance of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor that connects Europe with Asia through the South Caucasus.
Tokayev, for his part, stressed that Kazakhstan “remains steadfast and loyal to its commitment to continue cooperation with France.”
“We believe in our strategic partnership with France. We have identified several priority areas for future engagement, including energy, critical commodities, renewable energies, transit, agriculture, health, and agriculture,” he said.
“I firmly believe that the implementation of this list of priorities will only enhance our achievements in the future to the benefit of our peoples,” the Kazakh president remarked. EFE