Macron calls to strengthen partnerships in Central Asia visit

French President Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to "accelerate cooperation" with Kazakhstan during a press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana, as part of a visit to boost France's footprint in Central Asia.
Kazakhstan's president said France was his country's "key and reliable partner in the EU" and that he wanted to give their partnership "extra impetus". The two leaders signed a series of contracts in sectors ranging from minerals and energy to pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
French energy giant EDF is in the running to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power station -- a project that is due to be decided on in a referendum this year.