Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- France plans to increase uranium supplies from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. French President Emmanuel Macron plans to discuss this issue during his visit to these countries. Bloomberg reports this with reference to its sources.

Emmanuel Macron will visit Kazakhstan on 1 November and Uzbekistan on 2 November. The French President will be accompanied by representatives of 15 companies. The agency notes that the purpose of the visit of the head of France to the Central Asian countries is to strengthen the energy security of France through the supply of energy resources from Central Asia.

“One of the main motives for Macron’s visit is the desire to encourage Central Asian countries to diversify their economic and political ties away from Russia, especially after the war in Ukraine. The crisis in Ukraine has shaken long-established relationships in the region, giving countries like France the opportunity to develop new partnerships,” writes Bloomberg.

France intends to diversify its uranium supplies and reduce its dependence on uranium imports from Russia.

France is looking for new uranium suppliers after the July coup in Niger. Niger was one of the main suppliers of uranium to the European market.

Based on the results of 2022, Kazakhstan is the leader in uranium production in the world with an indicator of 21.2 thousand tons. Uzbekistan ranks 5th in the world with an indicator of 3.3 thousand tons.