Kazakhstan, as leading uranium producer, remains reliable partner for France's nuclear power sector - Tokayev

ASTANA. Nov 5 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan remains a reliable partner for the French nuclear power sector, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"Kazakhstan, as one of the world's largest producers of natural uranium, remains a reliable partner for the French atomic energy sector," Tokayev said in his article published in the French newspaper Le Figaro ahead of his state visit to Paris.

"During [French] President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Astana in November last year, our countries expressed their mutual interest in developing cooperation in the field of rare- earth metals, renewable energy sources and civilian nuclear power, sectors that open up new prospects for expanding our strategic partnership. The positive outcome of the recent nationwide referendum on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan since gaining independence provides a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation in the future," he said.

This is a matter of great importance in today's conditions of instability worldwide, and "will certainly help strengthen global energy security as well," Tokayev said.