Understanding Emmanuel Macron's Interest in Central Asia

French President Emmanuel Macron is currently visiting Central Asia to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are key suppliers of nuclear and fossil fuels to Europe. The visit is partly aimed at boosting business opportunities, but it is also a response to a military coup in Niger that raised concerns about France's uranium supply. Although Niger is the second-largest supplier of uranium to France, the country mainly relies on Kazakhstan for its uranium needs. Macron praised Kazakhstan as a reliable partner and expressed gratitude for its adherence to Western sanctions on Russia. Kazakhstan is the EU's third-largest petroleum supplier since Russian oil exports to the EU have declined. France, which heavily relies on nuclear energy, is particularly interested in Central Asian uranium. In return, Kazakhstan seeks French expertise to develop its own domestic nuclear power industry. French companies traditionally operate mines in Niger, but the uncertain political situation there has made France apprehensive about the future of its uranium supply. Central Asia is undergoing a significant shift in its relations with Russia, and the region's perception of Russia has worsened since the war in Ukraine. However, tensions also exist in the growing relationship between Central Asia and the West, as the EU and the US have accused Russia of bypassing sanctions through imports from Central Asian countries. Another significant factor is countering China's influence in the region. While China has a strong economic presence in Central Asia through its Belt and Road Initiative, France and the EU aim to exploit the strategic opportunity presented by the war in Ukraine to attract some of Russia's traditional partners and shift them towards the West.