Central Asia – Conversations between Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and the French communities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirghizstan and Tajikistan (Nov. 19)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, held several videoconferences with prominent French figures in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirghizstan and Tajikistan.

The Minister spoke with French ambassadors and their consular departments on the security of our communities and the impact of the health crisis on our expatriates.

Joined by Pascal Lorot, the Ministry’s Special Representative for Economic Diplomacy in Central Asia, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne brought together representatives of the French business community in those countries to discuss expanding the French economic presence in the transportation, tourism, energy and service sectors.

He also spoke with representatives of French educational establishments in the region about the situation at their schools and current projects. With the heads of the Instituts Français and Alliances Françaises, he spoke of stepping up French language learning, as the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has set up a two-year €500,000 fund to expand French language teaching and practice in Central Asia. The director of the Institut Français d’Etudes sur l’Asie Centrale (IFEAC), whose premises were inaugurated in Bishkek in 2019 by the Minister of State, also took part in these conversations.

Mr. Lemoyne also spoke with Deputy Anne Genetet and with elected officials representing French nationals living in the region and the counselors representing French nationals living abroad.