French FM raises Black Sea security concerns in talks with Kazakhstan

France and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their commitment to long-term cooperation in civil nuclear energy following a bilateral meeting held in Paris on July 28–29.

The meeting of the Bilateral Committee on Civil Nuclear Matters was hosted by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as part of the Franco-Kazakh Agreement on the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The committee reviewed progress in scientific and industrial cooperation and outlined future prospects for collaboration.

The Kazakh delegation was led by Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy. During the visit, the delegation held meetings with France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier, and Anne-Isabelle Etienvre, Director-General of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

Both sides reaffirmed the strength and long-term nature of their energy partnership, following the enhancement of bilateral strategic ties formalised in 2024.

On the sidelines of the committee meeting, Barrot held separate talks with Satkaliyev. The two sides reiterated their intention to deepen cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy and across the broader energy sector.

Barrot also underscored France’s commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation, including in the Black Sea. He noted that the consequences of the Russia–Ukraine war are negatively affecting the security of Kazakh vessels and the functioning of logistics routes.

By Tamilla Hasanova