French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Uzbekistan as part of his two-day tour in Central Asia to strengthen France's presence in the region. The visit comes as European nations vie for influence in the resource-rich area, which is of interest to Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe. Macron acknowledged the geopolitical pressures faced by Kazakhstan and praised the country's refusal to become a vassal. The leaders signed contracts in various sectors, including minerals, energy, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace.