After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan became an independent nation in December 1991. France and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1992, with France becoming the first European nation to recognize Kazakhstan.[1] In September 1993, French President François Mitterrand paid an official visit to Kazakhstan.[2] In June 2008, both nations signed a strategic partnership agreement and in 2010, both nations created a joint presidential commission, establishing yearly visits by both heads of state and arranging for yearly consultations between ministers of foreign affairs of both nations, beginning in 2011.[3]
In 2008, France transferred its embassy from the former capital of Almaty to the country's new capital of Astana.[3] In 2010, the two countries created a Franco-Kazakh Presidential Commission, which takes the form of an annual meeting between the two Heads of State.[4] The Alliance Française operates two centers in Kazakhstan, in Astana and in Almaty. In 2017, both nations celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations.[1] That same year, France participated in the Expo 2017 being held in Astana.[1]
High-level visits
Presidential visits from France to Kazakhstan[2][5]
Since 1992, both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as a Treaty of Friendship, Understanding and Cooperation (1992); Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1993) and an Agreement on direct air and train service for French military personnel and equipment traveling to and from Afghanistan and for the use of Shymkent airbase (2009).[3]
Transport
There are direct flights between both nations with Air Astana.
The longest European route, the E40, runs from France to Kazakhstan.
Trade
In 2016, trade between France and Kazakhstan totaled €3 billion Euros.[2] Kazakhstan is France's largest trading partner in Central Asia and France is Kazakhstan's sixth largest trading partner globally. France is Kazakhstan's third largest investor, and has invested nearly US$10 billion in the Kazakh economy.[1] French multinational companies such as Alstom, Engie, Peugeot, Renault, Saint-Gobain, Total S.A. and Vicat, among others, operate in Kazakhstan.[1]
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