PARIS-BRUSSELS. October 7. KAZINFORM /Yerzhan Ospanov/ President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has paid a visit to Astana on Tuesday. The experts named this visit a breakthrough event.  At the request of Kazinform correspondent Kazakhstan's Ambassador Nurlan Danenov, who presented credentials to the France President, commented on this event. 

- France is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan. It is the first European Union country with which our relations have came to a strategic level. The visit has an important significance from the viewpoint of qualitative enrichment of a new character of cooperation and determination of relationships prospects on all directions: regional and global security, policy, economy and culture.  

Kazakhstan will chair the OSCE the next year. Hence a wide range of issues they have discussed is connected with promotion of cooperation in the line of the UN, OSCE and other international organizations.

Kazakhstan has embarked on implementation of the industrialization strategy under President Nursultan Nazarbayev's leadership. This program employs advanced foreign technologies. The purpose of the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Kazakhstan was to reinforce cooperation in these directions. The priority is given to transfer of French technologies to Kazakhstan in the fields of space, nuclear energy, telecommunications and transport.

Economic cooperation holds a leading place in our relations. Kazakhstan is one of the main suppliers of hydrocarbons to the French market. France has invested about USD 5 bln into Kazakhstan, over 40 French companies have their representation offices in Kazakhstan, and bilateral trade reached USD 6.2 bln last year.

Development of cooperation in the sphere of science, culture and education is very important which was reiterated during the visit.

The role of France in Central Asia is increasing and we welcome it. This process is developing in the context of the Kazakh-French relations and the leading role of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, and in the context of the special role of France in promotion of the EU Strategy for Central Asia. Besides, there is a topic of international efforts coordination for the Afghan problems solution, which was actively discussed in the course of the visit and was reflected in the final agreements.

 France is becoming more authoritative state at the world arena and the success of France President Nicolas Sarkozy in Pittsburgh. His new vision, initiatives and decisive actions can assist in resolution of problems in the region and give an impulse to its development, deep integration into the world economy.