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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
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RFI

French President Emmanuel Macron begins charm offensive in energy-rich Central Asia

Emmanuel Macron Central Asia France China CHRISTIAN HARTMANN Europe Kazakhstan Turkey Russia
Emmanuel Macron prononce son discours d'inauguration de la Cité Internationale de la Francophonie à Villers-Cotterêts, recently. © Christian Hartmann/AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Central Asia on Wednesday, aiming to boost France's profile in a region where Russia, China, Turkey and Europe are all jostling for influence.

Macron landed in the early hours of the morning at the Kazakh capital Astana for talks with counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and is due to sign contracts in sectors including pharmaceuticals and aerospace.

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