Macron seeks nuclear agreements in Russia's vicinity

01 Nov, 2023

Macron seeks nuclear agreements in Russia's vicinity

French President Emmanuel Macron embarks on a mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in search of uranium supply for France's nuclear plants. This journey is prompted by growing geopolitical tensions with France's current major uranium suppliers, Niger and Russia.

Macron's visit to these two nations aims to expand French influence in a region that has strong ties with Russia and is also developing closer relations with China. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan serve as France's largest and third-largest uranium suppliers, which fuels the nation's nuclear power plants.

Last year, a military junta took control of Niger, which supplies 15 percent of France's uranium needs, raising concerns about its reliability as a source. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Russian uranium imports has arisen since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Phuc-Vinh Nguyen, an energy expert at the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris, comments, "Niger raises questions, Russia could raise questions in the long term [if] the EU imposes sanctions on the nuclear sector.Macron's trip to Central Asia aims to address and prepare for these concerns."

While the EU has not imposed sanctions on Russia's nuclear sector so far, European member countries are increasingly distancing themselves from Moscow. Uranium imports from Russia to the EU decreased by 16 percent last year compared to 2021, while imports from Kazakhstan rose by over 14 percent. Kazakhstan, in particular, has expressed a growing interest in the European nuclear market.

French nuclear company Orano has a significant presence in Kazakhstan, operating uranium mines since the 1990s, and is expanding its operations in Uzbekistan. During Macron's trip, contracts and business partnerships, including those in the energy sector, are expected to be announced. French energy giant EDF is also positioning itself as a potential supplier of nuclear reactors for Kazakhstan's first nuclear plant.

This visit aligns with Brussels' efforts to compete with China for influence in the region through investment programs focused on infrastructure. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have received Chinese investment as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. The European Union is working to engage these countries in cooperation and investment projects under its "Global Gateway" initiative, which is the EU's response to China's Belt and Road Initiative.