Kazakhstan, France forge stronger ties with 36 new agreements

Kazakhstan and France have signed 36 new cooperation agreements during a state visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Paris, including 14 commercial contracts worth $2.2 billion.

According to the press service of the Kazakh President, the agreements were finalized following talks between Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media sources.

Among the key documents was an intergovernmental readmission agreement, allowing for the return of citizens expelled from one state to their home country.

In addition, the two countries signed a roadmap for strategic partnership focusing on critical resources and minerals, a partnership agreement between Kazakhstan's national welfare fund Samruk-Kazyna and French financial group Société Générale S.A., as well as a cooperation agreement on electric locomotives between Kazakhstan Railways and French manufacturer Alstom Transport S.A. The two nations also signed a protocol on archaeological collaboration between their relevant institutes.

President Tokayev remarked, "The French Development Agency recently opened a representative office in Astana. We will provide maximum assistance to its work. We also noted the importance of developing international transport corridors. We discussed issues of expanding ties in logistics infrastructure and the processing industry. We agreed on the implementation of new projects in the agro-industrial complex, healthcare, finance, and tourism."

Tokayev arrived on a state visit to Paris on November 4, at the invitation of Macron, ending his visit on November 5. The French President visited Astana in 2023.

By Tamilla Hasanova