Kazakhstan - Q&A - (Jan. 11, 2022)

Q: The Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the CSTO contingent will begin its withdrawal in two days’ time and that this process will take no longer than 10 days. How do you view the withdrawal of the CSTO forces after such a short period of time?

A: We have taken note of the Kazakh president’s January 11th statement before the Majilis, the Parliament’s lower house, regarding the withdrawal of the CSTO’s rapid reaction force, which has been deployed in Kazakhstan.

France and its European partners deeply value Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, which must fully respected.

Dialogue is needed in order to de-escalate the current tensions. We will be closely monitoring the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights.