From: Vladic Ravich (vravich@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Nov 10 2004 - 14:09:06 EST
FRENCH INDUSTRY MINISTER MEETS WITH KAZAKH PRESIDENT
French Industry Minister Patrick Devedjian met with President Nursultan
Nazarbaev in Astana on 9 November, Khabar news agency reported. The two
discussed trade ties between the two countries and a planned visit to
Kazakhstan by French President Jacques Chirac set for early 2005. A
meeting between Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov and Devedjian focused on
energy-industry issues. "During recent negotiations in London [in early
November], [France's] Total supported Kazakhstan's desire to buy a stake
in the North Caspian consortium [developing the Kashagan oilfield]. We
gratefully accept this support and believe that it will serve as the
basis for deepening our future cooperation in the oil and gas sphere,"
Akhmetov said, according to Interfax-Kazakhstan. And at a meeting with
Foreign Minister Qasymzhomart Toqaev in Astana on 8 November, Devedjian
said, "France very much wishes to expand the presence of its companies
in Kazakhstan," "Kazakhstan Today" reported. DK
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