EU Reporter

10/06/2026

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel speaks in Jerusalem to a group of European and American journalists on a press trip to Israel. Picture from EIPA/AMEPA.

“I already told the Jewish community in France to pack up and come to Israel. I don’t think they have a place in France where they are not being protected,’’ Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told visiting European and American journalists. ”I don’t think Jews have a place neither in France nor in Belgium,’’ said Tuesday Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, writes Yossi Lempkowicz.
“I already told the Jewish community in France to pack up and come to Israel. I don’t think they have a place in France. They are not being protected,’’ she said in response to a French journalist who asked her if French Jews should do aliyah because the rising tide of antisemitism in the country. “The situation of Jews in France is horrible. Antisemitism has spread. It is not new but it reached extreme high levels,” Haskel said.

She mentioned that her mother is from Saint-Brice, a suburb north of Paris. “My grandmother was attacked one year ago there by an Arab who kicked her, spit on her and called her ‘Dirty Jew,” Haskel explained.

During a meeting in Jerusalem with a group of 24 European and American journalists on a press trip to Israel organized by Europe Israel Press Association (EIPA) and American Mideast Press Association (AMEPA), she also mentioned Belgium. ‘’I would say that it is even worse there.’’

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10/06/2026

Thank you to the Ambassadoe of Kazakhstan for sharing my article published on

07/06/2026

This week, the European directive concerning to***co taxation (TED) encountered divergent outcomes: it was endorsed in a modified form by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the European Parliament, yet concurrently withdrawn from the ECOFIN Council’s agenda due to the absence of unanimous consent.

Sweden blocked the EU’s ambitious to***co tax overhaul that aimed to raise billions by increasing cigarette duties and extending taxation to newer ni****ne products, arguing that the proposals could undermine products that have contributed to the country’s exceptionally low smoking rate. As a result, the matter will not be deliberated during the ministerial meeting scheduled for 12 June, and responsibility for the dossier will pass to the incoming Irish Presidency.

Sweden’s smoke-free model enters EU to***co tax debate after key EP vote
A key vote in the European Parliament has brought Sweden’s distinctive approach to to***co control and ni****ne regulation into the centre of a growing European debate over the future taxation of to***co and alternative ni****ne products.

On 3 June, the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) adopted its report on the proposed revision of the European Union’s To***co Taxation Directive (TTD), one of the most significant reforms of to***co taxation rules in more than a decade.

07/06/2026

Article by Belgium and Uzbekistan have steadily expanded their diplomatic, political, and economic relationship over the past decades, transforming what was once a relatively limited bilateral partnership into an increasingly strategic dialogue between Brussels and Tashkent. The decision by Belgium to open an embassy in Uzbekistan’s capital is not simply an administrative or symbolic diplomatic step; rather, it reflects the growing geopolitical and economic importance of Uzbekistan within Central Asia, as well as the broader strategic recalibration currently taking place in European engagement with the region.

Relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Belgium are based on principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, constructive dialogue, and pragmatic cooperation. Belgium officially recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 31, 1991, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 10, 1992. Since 1995, Uzbekistan has maintained an embassy in Brussels, ensuring permanent diplomatic representation in one of Europe’s most important political capitals and the institutional center of the European Union. Until recently, Belgium coordinated much of its diplomatic engagement with Uzbekistan through its embassy in Astana. However, the opening of a direct Belgian diplomatic mission in Tashkent signals a new phase in bilateral relations and demonstrates the increasing significance Belgium attributes to Uzbekistan and Central Asia as a whole.

07/06/2026

Kazakhstan is seeking to place science, higher education and innovation at the centre of its growing partnership with the European Union.

That was the key message from a roundtable held in Brussels under the “Shanyraq Dialogue” platform, hosted by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Belgium and attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek.

The event, entitled “Kazakhstan’s Knowledge Economy: New Horizons for Partnership with the European Union”, brought together representatives of Belgian universities, research centres, the diplomatic community, experts and officials from the European External Action Service.

The discussion reflected Kazakhstan’s ambition to move beyond traditional areas of cooperation and develop a more knowledge-based partnership with Europe, focused on research, innovation, academic mobility and the training of specialists for the economy of the future.

Opening the debate, Karina Anguelieva, Executive Director of the International Science and Technology Center, highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing scientific and technological potential. She recalled that this potential was one of the reasons behind the ISTC’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Astana in 2015.

29/04/2026

Germany: Shen Yun Performing Arts Faces Multiple Allegations of Abuse and Forced Labour, Triggering Investigations

According to multiple reports in German media Vorsprung Online and The New York Times, Shen Yun Performing Arts—which promotes itself as reviving “5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture”—has recently become embroiled in a series of controversies. Several former dancers have accused the o...

29/04/2026

Shen Yun Performing Arts Faces Multiple Allegations of Abuse and Forced Labour, Triggering Investigations

According to multiple reports in German media Vorsprung Online and The New York Times, Shen Yun Performing Arts—which promotes itself as reviving “5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture”—has recently become embroiled in a series of controversies. Several former dancers have accused the o...

22/04/2026

Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič (pictured) and South Korean Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo co-chaired the thirteenth EU-Republic of Korea Trade Committee, under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The two sides strengthened their partnership by holding their first Strategic Dialogue on Trade, Supply Chains and Technology, while also endorsing the final text of the EU-Korea Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to be signed at the EU-Korea Summit later this year.

During the Trade Committee meeting, both sides highlighted the FTA’s tangible benefits for businesses and citizens. Commissioner Šefčovič emphasized in particular the constantly growing trade in goods, as well as the significant level of investments. Both sides welcomed progress on the update of the Motor Vehicles and Parts Annex, an agreement to work towards a Mutual Recognition on Electronics, and a decision to set up a Working Group on Cosmetics.

At the same time, a frank discussion was held on key trade irritants and issues that European businesses, farmers and other stakeholders face when operating in Korea. Commissioner Šefčovič raised in particular areas such as market access for agricultural products, offshore wind, and the automotive sector, and restrictions on the online sales of alcoholic beverages.

With the Strategic Dialogue, the EU and Korea established a platform for forward-looking cooperation on key shared geo-economic priorities, including economic security, critical raw materials, advanced tech supply chain protection, and battery cooperation. Commissioner Šefčovič and Minister Yeo also agreed to start preparations for launching an EU-Korea Future Strategic Partnership, in time for the EU-Korea Summit to be held later this year.

Finally, both sides welcomed agreement on the final, ambitious DTA text, which reflects the EU’s commitment to setting high-standard digital trade rules, while connecting further the digital economies of the EU and Korea. The deal provides binding rules that build consumer trust and ensure predictability and legal certainty for businesses, as well as trusted data flows. Full article online

22/04/2026

From April 14 to 16, 2026, Ashgabat 🇹🇲 hosted the International Tourism Exhibition and Conference “Turkmentravel – 2026”, a major event reflecting Turkmenistan’s ambition to position itself as an emerging destination at the crossroads of culture, history, and sustainable tourism. The forum gathered representatives of government institutions, international organizations, tourism professionals, investors, academics, and private‑sector actors from across Europe, Asia, and the wider region.

Opening Ceremony and Official Addresses

The exhibition and conference officially opened on April 14, 2026, at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, with a ceremonial session underscoring the growing importance of tourism diplomacy.

The greetings address of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was delivered to participants, officially inaugurating the event and setting the tone for international cooperation in the tourism sector.

The opening session was attended by high‑level representatives of the Turkmen government and foreign delegations, emphasizing tourism as a strategic pillar of economic diversification.

High-level Conference

International participation

The conference also served as a platform for regional cooperation, featuring speakers from neighboring countries and international institutions, including:

- Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye;

- Erdenet Kasymov, Deputy Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Kanan Firdovski oglu Aliyev, Head of the Office of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

- Muhammetdurdy Mamedov, Head of the National Directorate of Turkmenistan for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments;

- Geoffrey Serembe, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Uganda;

22/04/2026

The European Commission has approved a €3.7 billion Czech scheme to support the construction of biomethane production stations in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025. The scheme is expected to support installations with a total output of 350 million standard cubic meters of sustainable biomethane, which contributes to the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal.

The aid will take the form of a direct price support scheme, with a two-way contract for difference that provides a bonus for each MWh of biomethane produced for a duration of 15 years, based on a so-called strike price. If market prices of natural gas are lower than the strike price, the State will pay the producers. If they are higher, the companies will pay back the difference. The beneficiaries will be selected through a competitive tendering procedure.

The Commission found that the Czech scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the CISAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated volume and budget, and the aid will be provided as direct price support through a two-way contract for difference, which will be awarded via a competitive bidding process.

A Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera (pictured) said: “With this €3.7 billion scheme Czechia will boost the EU’s production of sustainable biomethane that will be used for transport and heating. It will also help Czechia meet its emissions reduction target. The measure will contribute to a cleaner, more secure and more resilient energy mix, while preserving a level playing field and minimising potential distortions of competition.’’ Full article online