After the collapse of the USSR, France has shown interest in establishing relations with the Central Asian states in many areas of mutual cooperation. France is one of the first European states to recognize the independence of the five new states in the region. This article provides a historical analysis of the development of cooperation with the Central Asian countries in the 1990s (1991 - 1999). The purpose of the works is to identify he most important milestones and factors that contributed to the development of their relations within the framework of the changing world order over the same period of time.

As a result of this study, the author developed three stages of the development of relations between France and Central Asia in the 90s (1991-1994, 1995-1997, 1998 - 1999) defines.

Russian and Kazakh historiography show that the foreign policy of the French Republic and its economic interests in the region (for example, Total) are inextricably linked. Diplomatic initiatives played a key role in creating a favourable investment climate for oil companies, whose achievements later strengthened France’s political influence in the regions.

France sees cultural diplomacy as a strategic tool (soft power) that allows it to stay ahead of other external actors in the Central Asian region.

The study concluded that the 1990s were a crucial period in which France laid a solid institutional foundation for cooperation with countries in the region. France’s ability to respond quickly to geopolitical changes, effectively balancing its economic interests and cultural influence, allowed it to establish a stable position.

POUJOL C.

Doctor of historical sciences, professor, National institute for oriental languages and civilizations, Paris, France

E-mail: catherine.poujol@inalco.fr, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7784-9964

DIKANBAYEVA A.M.

Master of social sciences, teacher, K. Zhubanov Aktobe regional university, Aktobe, Kazakhstan

E-mail: a.dykanbaeva@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5157-2047

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