On May 22nd, Dr. Bang convened a meeting with former French Ambassador Pierre Andrieu and Dr. Zhang Xiaotong, Director of the China Central Asia Studies Center at KIMEP. The discussion focused on contemporary geopolitical developments in Eurasia, the evolving role of Central Asia in international diplomacy, and opportunities for deeper academic cooperation between European research communities and KIMEP. 

 

The meeting brought together extensive diplomatic and regional expertise, reflecting KIMEP’s growing role as a platform for international dialogue and policy-oriented scholarship. Ambassador Andrieu brought to the conversation decades of diplomatic experience across Europe and Eurasia. A former French Ambassador to Moldova and Tajikistan, he also served as the French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group responsible for negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In addition to his diplomatic service,

Ambassador Andrieu has taught at leading institutions including Sciences Po Paris and ISIT, specializing in Russian foreign policy, Russia-China relations, and international diplomacy.

 

Dr. Bang encouraged Ambassador Andrieu to continue contributing to KIMEP University through teaching, participation in academic conferences and seminars, and collaborative research initiatives. He emphasized that KIMEP remains committed to supporting future activities involving Ambassador Andrieu and welcomed continued engagement with faculty and students on issues related to Eurasian geopolitics and China-Russia relations. Dr. Zhang Xiaotong also highlighted the role of the CCASC as a platform for advancing international academic cooperation, policy dialogue, and joint research projects connecting scholars and practitioners across Europe and Asia